Papers from Abroad

The capacity of Kupffer cells and blood monocytes to release free oxygen radicals was studied by chemiluminescence (CL) response during hepatic amebiasis in guinea pigs. Gunea pigs infected withEntamoeba histolytica intramesenterically were sacrificed on days 0,2,5 and 8 post-infection. Hepatic lesions were graded I–IV. A significant increase in the CL response was observed from day 2 post-infection and it increased with the progress of infection. Maximum increase was observed on the 8th post infection day. Animals with grade III or IV hepatic lesions had significantly elevated CL response. The degree of hepatic lesions correlated well with the CL response (P<0.01). It is postulated that tissue damage during hepatic amoebiasis may be mediated through enhanced release of free exygen radicals by Kupffer cells and blood monocyte.