The 'metabolic burst' in polymorphonuclear leukocytes from patients with quiescent psoriasis

SUMMARY We report an investigation of peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from untreated patients with mild, quiescent psoriasis. Four aspects of the ‘metabolic burst’ were measured to illustrate phagocytosis‐related events. These were: myeloperoxidase activity, hydrogen peroxide release, superoxide production and luminol‐amplified chemiluminescence. Our study does not support the concept of an intrinsic abnormality of the PMN in psoriasis, but provides additional evidence for disease activity‐dependent changes in phagocytic behaviour. Possible interactions with certain humoral factors, the so‐called opsonins, are discussed.