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Objectives Incidence rates (IRs) of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) are known to be higher in HIV-infected individuals than in the general population, but have not been assessed in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Methods From 1 January 1995 to 31 December 2007, all Danish HIV-infected individuals ( n=4871) and population controls ( n=92 116) matched on age and sex were enrolled in a cohort and all cases of SAB were registered. IRs and risk factors were estimated using time-updated Poisson regression analysis. Results We identified 329 cases of SAB in 284 individuals, of whom 132 individuals were infected with HIV and 152 were not [crude IR ratio (IRR) 24.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 19.5-30.0, for HIV-infected vs. non-HIV-infected individuals]. Over time, IR declined for HIV-infected individuals (IRR 0.40). Injecting drug users (IDUs) had the highest incidence and the smallest decline in IR, while men who have sex with men (MSM) had the largest decline over time. Among HIV-infected individuals, a latest CD4 count <100 cells/μL was the strongest independent predictor of SAB (IRR 10.2). Additionally, HIV transmission group was associated with risk of SAB. MSM were more likely to have hospital-acquired SAB, a low CD4 cell count and AIDS at the time of HIV acquisition compared with IDUs. Conclusions We found that the incidence of SAB among HIV-infected individuals declined during the study period, but remained higher than that among HIV-uninfected individuals. There was an unevenly distributed burden of SAB among HIV transmission groups (IDU>MSM). Low CD4 cell count and IDU were strong predictors of SAB among HIV-infected individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The association between HIV infection and the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is controversial. We examined the risk of VTE in HIV-infected individuals compared with the general population and estimated the impact of low CD4 cell count, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and injecting drug use (IDU). Methods We identified 4333 Danish HIV-infected patients from the Danish HIV Cohort Study and a population-based age- and gender-matched comparison cohort of 43 330 individuals. VTE diagnoses were extracted from the Danish National Hospital Registry. Cumulative incidence curves were constructed for time to first VTE. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and impact of low CD4 cell count and HAART were estimated by Cox regression analyses. Analyses were stratified by IDU, adjusted for comorbidity and disaggregated by overall, provoked and unprovoked VTE. Results The 5-year risk of VTE was 8.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.78-10.74%] in IDU HIV-infected patients, 1.5% (95% CI 1.14-1.95%) in non-IDU HIV-infected patients and 0.3% (95% CI 0.29- 0.41%) in the population comparison cohort. In non-IDU HIV-infected patients, adjusted IRRs for unprovoked and provoked VTE were 3.42 (95% CI 2.58-4.54) and 5.51 (95% CI 3.29-9.23), respectively, compared with the population comparison cohort. In IDU HIV-infected patients, the adjusted IRRs were 12.66 (95% CI 6.03-26.59) for unprovoked VTE and 9.38 (95% CI 1.61-54.50) for provoked VTE. Low CD4 cell count had a minor impact on these risk estimates, while HAART increased the overall risk (IRR 1.93; 95% CI 1.00-3.72). Conclusion HIV-infected patients are at increased risk of VTE, especially in the IDU population. HAART and possibly low CD4 cell count further increase the risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The aim of the study was to compare changes in bone mineral density (BMD) over 144 weeks in HIVinfected patients initiating nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)-sparing or protease inhibitor-sparing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Methods Sixty-three HAART-naïve patients were randomized to zidovudine/lamivudine1efavirenz or lopinavir/ritonavir1efavirenz. We performed dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at baseline and at weeks 24, 48, 96 and 144 to evaluate lumbar spine and femoral neck (hip) BMD. Results At baseline, 33 patients (55.9%) had low BMD (T-score < -1.0) and of these eight had osteoporosis (T-score < -2.5). Spine BMD declined in both arms until week 24, before stabilizing. In the NRTIsparing arm, the mean percentage change from baseline was -2.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) -3.9 to -1.4] at week 24 and -2.5% (95% CI -5.4 to 0.3) at week 144, compared with -3.2% (95% CI -4.4 to -2.1) and -1.9% (95% CI -3.5 to -0.3) in the protease inhibitor-sparing arm. Hip BMD declined until week 48 before stabilizing. In the NRTI-sparing arm, BMD had decreased by -5.1% (95% CI -7.1 to -3.1) at week 48 and -4.5% (95% CI -6.9 to -2.1) at week 144, compared with -6.1% (95% CI -8.2 to -4.0) and -5.0% (95% CI -6.8 to -3.1) in the protease inhibitor-sparing arm. There were no significant differences between arms. Low baseline CD4 cell count was independently associated with spine (P=0.007) and hip (P=0.04) BMD loss and low body mass index with hip BMD loss (P=0.03). Conclusion Spine and hip BMD declined rapidly 24 to 48 weeks after initiating HAART, independent of the assigned drug class, but thereafter BMD values remained stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may lead to chronic HCV-infection with detectable HCV RNA or to spontaneous clearance with no HCV RNA, but detectable HCV antibodies. It is unknown whether HCV RNA status is associated with mortality in HIV-infected injection drug users (IDUs). We conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study to examine the impact of HCV RNA status on overall and cause-specific mortality in HIV-infected IDUs. We computed cumulative mortality and used Cox Regression to estimate mortality rate ratios (MRR). We identified 392 HIV-infected patients of whom 284 (72%) had chronic HCV-infection (HCV RNA positive patients) and 108 (28%) had cleared the HCV-infection (HCV RNA negative patients). During 1286 person-years of observation (PYR), 157 persons died (MR = 122/1000 PYR, 95% CI: 104–143). The estimated 5-year probabilities of survival were 0.58 (95% CI: 0.51–0.65) in the chronically HCV-infected and 0.52 (95% CI: 0.40–0.63) in the cleared HCV group. Chronic HCV-infection was not associated with overall mortality: MRR 0.85, 95% CI: 0.59–1.21. In HIV-infected Danish IDUs, chronic HCV-infection is not associated with increased mortality compared to patients who have cleared the infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the impact of HIV co-infection on mortality in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Methods From a nationwide Danish database of HCV-infected patients, we identified individuals diagnosed with HCV subsequent to an HIV diagnosis. For each co-infected patient, four control HCV patients without HIV were matched on age, gender and year of HCV diagnosis. Data on comorbidity, drug abuse, alcoholism and date of death were extracted from two healthcare databases. We constructed Kaplan–Meier curves and used Cox regression analyses to estimate mortality rate ratios (MRRs), controlling for comorbidity. Results We identified 483 HCV–HIV co-infected and 1932 HCV mono-infected patients, yielding 2192 and 9894 person-years of observation with 129 and 271 deaths, respectively. The 5-year probability of survival was 0.74 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69–0.80] for HCV–HIV co-infected patients and 0.87 (95% CI 0.85–0.89) for HCV mono-infected patients. Co-infection was associated with substantially increased mortality (MRR 2.1, 95% CI 1.7–2.6). However, prior to the first observed decrease in CD4 counts to below 300 cells/μL, HIV infection did not increase mortality in HCV-infected patients (MRR 0.9, 95% CI 0.5–1.50). Conclusions HIV infection has a substantial impact on mortality among HCV-infected individuals, mainly because of HIV-induced immunodeficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of procalcitonin in diagnosing bacterial infection has mainly been studied in patients with severe infections. There is no study on the value of procalcitonin measurements in adults with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) treated in primary care.Aim: To evaluate the accuracy of plasma procalcitonin in predicting radiographic pneumonia, bacterial infection, and adverse outcome in a population of adults with LRTI treated in primary care.Design Of Study: Prospective, observational study.Setting: Forty-two general practices and an outpatient clinic at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.Method: A total of 364 patients with LRTI were prospectively enrolled from 42 general practices. Patients were examined with chest radiography, microbiological analyses, and measurements of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin. The outcome measure was hospitalisation within 4 weeks of enrollment.Results: Median procalcitonin was 0.05 ng/ml, which was below the functional sensitivity of the assay (0.06 ng/ml). In predicting radiographic pneumonia, bacterial infection, and hospitalisation, the sensitivities of procalcitonin >0.06 ng/ml were 0.70, 0.51, and 0.67, and of CRP were > or =20 mg/l, 0.73, 0.56, and 0.74 respectively. Corresponding positive predictive values were between 0.09 and 0.28.Conclusion: Both procalcitonin >0.06 ng/ml and CRP > or =20 mg/l were associated with radiographic pneumonia, bacterial infection, and subsequent hospitalisation, but positive predictive values were too low for any of the two inflammatory markers to be of use in clinical practice. To measure procalcitonin values accurately in the primary care setting, a more sensitive method is needed, but there was no indication that procalcitonin is superior to CRP in identifying patients with pneumonia, bacterial aetiology, or adverse outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of predominant pathogens and their association with outcome are of importance for the management of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). As antibiotic therapy is indicated in pneumonia and not in acute bronchitis, a predictor of pneumonia is needed. AIM: To describe the aetiology and outcome of LRTI in adults with pneumonic and adults with non-pneumonic LRTI treated in general practice and to identify predictors of radiographic pneumonia. DESIGN OF STUDY: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Forty-two general practices and an outpatient clinic at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Denmark. METHOD: A total of 364 adults diagnosed with community-acquired LRTI by their GP were studied with chest radiography, vital signs, biochemical markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP] and leukocyte count), and microbiological examinations. Primary outcome measure was hospitalisation within 4 weeks. RESULTS: Pneumonia was radiographically verified in 48 of 364 patients (13%). Bacterial infection was seen more often in patients with pneumonia (33% versus 17%, P<0.001), and viral infection more often in non-pneumonic patients (26% versus 13%, P<0.05). Hospitalisation was more common in patients with pneumonia compared to non-pneumonic patients (19 versus 3%, P<0.001); and in patients with pneumococcal infection compared with patients without pneumococcal infection (26 versus 4%, P = 0.001). The positive predictive value of GPs' diagnosis of pneumonia was low (0.23), but the vital signs, CRP, and leukocyte count had comparably low positive predictive values (0.23-0.30). CONCLUSION: Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common bacterial pathogen. The risk of hospitalisation was highest among patients with pneumonia or pneumococcal infection; this emphasises the importance of coverage of S. pneumoniae when treatment is indicated. CRP should not be introduced for diagnosis of radiographic pneumonia in general practice before its use has been investigated in prospective, controlled intervention trials using CRP-guided treatment algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychosocial and behavioral factors have been shown to be associated with adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and treatment effectiveness. These factors have often been identified in selected populations through complex or time-consuming questionnaires. In this study we aimed at asking all the patients of a large population-based cohort receiving HAART a few short, explicit, and direct questions about these factors, and to examine the associations between their answers and prevalent treatment failure. All patients receiving HAART in western Denmark and central Copenhagen were offered participation. Participants answered a short, self-administered, anonymous questionnaire assessing psychosocial and behavioral factors and treatment adherence. Findings were linked with data on demographics, disease history, and treatment effect. Treatment failure was defined as two consecutive measurements of HIV-RNA above 400 copies per milliliter taken at least 14 days apart. Prevalence odds ratios were estimated by logistic regression. We found that a total of 887 of 1126 patients returned a completed questionnaire (response rate 79%). The overall rate of treatment failure in participants was 20%. Adjusted odds ratio estimates for treatment failure were 2.3 (confidence interval [CI] 1.3-4.3) for patients who stated poor treatment satisfaction, 2.1 (CI 1.2-3.7) for patients not fully disagreeing that they were depressed, and 2.8 (CI 1.5-5.4) for patients who stated to have been nonadherent within the preceding 4 days. Because of the cross-sectional nature of the study, causality could not be determined. These questions, however, may be relevant screening tools in clinical practice and in follow-up studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors postulated that a period of forced recumbency during an acute attack of laminitis may counteract the disabling effects on the secondary epidermal laminae. On the basis of this concept a study was made of the behavior of three healthy Shetland ponies when placed in a box in which the ceiling was too low for a standing position but allowed comfortable sternal recumbency. When the height of the box was about 125% of the vertical distance between the withers and the sternum, the ponies lay calmly during most of the experimental period and the rare attempts at rising did not seem to put any major load on the hoofs. The possibility of using short-term forced recumbency as adjunctive treatment in an acute attack of equine laminitis is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A technique for catheterization of a lymph vessel afferent to the supramammary lymph gland in the cow is described. The operation was made with the cow under general anaesthesia. The lymph vessel was catheterized with a 30 cm long heparinized polyethylene catheter with an external diameter of 2.5 to 3 mm. Generally at least 5 ml of lymph could be collected within a period of 3 to 5 minutes. In 11 out of 15 cows lymph could be collected for 7 days or longer. Zusammenfassung Gewinnung von Lymphe aus afferenten Lymphgefäßen des supramammären Lymphknotens bei der Kuh Es wird eine Technik zur Gewinnung von Lymphe aus einem afferenten Lymphgefäß des supramammären Lymphknotens bei der Kuh beschrieben. Die betreffende Operation wurde unter Allgemeinanästhesie durchgeführt. Das Lymphgefäß wurde mit einem 30 cm langen heparinisierten Polyäthylenkatheter (äußerer Durchmesser: 2,5-3 mm) katheterisiert. Im allgemeinen konnte innerhalb von 3 bis 5 Minuten 5 ml Lymphe gesammelt werden. Bei 11 von 15 Tieren konnte Lymphe länger als 7 Tage gesammelt werden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incorporation of 35S-cystine in vitro was studied both in tissue fragments and in cell membranes from matrix tissue from bovine hooves. The mean incorporation of cystine into the cell membranes, calculated per μg protein, was about four times higher than in the tissue fragments indicating that the cystine receptors are mainly located on the surface of the keratinizing epidermal cell. The possibility of using cystine incorporation into membranes from keratinizing epidermal cells as a tool in investigations of the pathogenesis of laminitis is discussed. Zusammenfassung Rezeptoren für L-Cystin an Zellmembranen der Klauenmatrix beim Rind Es wurde in vitro der Einbau von 35S-Cystin in Gewebsfragmente und Zellmembranen der Klauenmatrix des Rindes untersucht. Der mittlere Einbau von Cystin in die Zellmembranen, bezogen auf 1 μg Protein, war etwa 4mal höher als der Einbau in Gewebsfragmente. Demnach dürften die Cystin-Rezeptoren an der Oberfläche der verhornenden Epidermalzellen lokalisiert sein. Die Möglichkeit, den Einbau von Cystin in Zellmembranen verhornender Epidermalzellen als Parameter bei Untersuchungen über die Pathogenese der Rehe zu verwenden, wird diskutiert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specific binding of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) to membranes from the matrix of the bovine hoof was found in experiments in vitro with 125I-labelled EGF. In addition to its mitogenic effect, this growth factor has been shown to have the capacity of inhibiting the in vitro differentiation of certain target cells, including keratinocytes. On the other hand, inhibited differentiation of keratinocytes of the hoof matrix is a dominating morphological feature in laminitis in its initial stage. Since considerable amounts of EGF have been found in the organs that are involved in the pathogenesis of both the alimentary and the puerperal variants of laminitis, namely the gastrointestinal tract and the uterus, the capacity for EGF binding observed in cell membranes from the hoof matrix would seem to be of great interest for the further discussion on the pathogenesis of laminitis. Zusammenfassung Vorhandensein von Rezeptoren für den epidermalen Wachstumsfaktor (EGF) in der Matrix der Rinderklaue - ein möglicher neuer Zugang zum Laminitis-Problem In in vitro-Experimenten mit 125J-markiertem EGF wurde an der Matrix der Rinderklaue eine spezifische Bindung von EGF an Membranen nachgewiesen. Dieser Wachstumsfaktor hat, von seinem mitogenen Effekt abgesehen, offenbar die Fähigkeit, die in vitro-Differenzierung gewisser Zielzellen, einschließlich der Keratinozyten, zu hemmen. Andererseits ist die gestörte Differenzierung von Keratinozyten der Hufmatrix ein dominierendes morphologisches Merkmal des Frühstadiums der Laminitis. Da in den an der Pathogenese der Laminitis vom alimentären und puerperalen Typ beteiligten Organen, nämlich dem Gastrointestinaltrakt und dem Uterus, beträchtliche Mengen von EGF gefunden wurden, könnte die Fähigkeit von Zellmembranen der Klauenmatrix, EGF zu binden, für die weitere Diskussion der Pathogenese der Laminitis von großem Interesse sein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anatomical arrangements of the genital organs in the bitch have hitherto made cannulation of the uterus a difficult procedure. The techniques described here were based on the use of a 'guiding device' which in principle consisted of a metal tube whose cranial end was supplied with a wire loop, shaped to clasp and fix that part of the cervix which protrudes into the vagina. When the 'guide' had a loop of appropriate size and the instrument was introduced as described, the cervix was fixed in such a position that a cannula inserted through the metal tube was oriented towards the external orifice of the cervical canal. By manipulations with the 'guide' under fluorescopic control, in some cases aided by manual palpation of the genital organs, the cervical canal could then be brought into such good alignment with the cannula that the cannula could be introduced into the uterus. A total of 148 cannulation attempts in 65 animals were made with this technique. The animal included both normal bitches, in different stages of the sexual cycle, and bitches with different clinical signs associated with the functions of the genital organs. A total of 140 (95%) of 148 attempts at cannulation were successful. Most of the attempts were made under general anaesthesia and with the aid of fluoroscopy, after intravaginal injection of contrast medium. The authors consider, however, that it should be possible for certain purposes, e. g. for intrauterine deposition of semen, to use this technique without anaesthesia and, that the use of radiological aids in cannulation could either be dispensed with altogether or limited to fluoroscopy without intravaginal injection of contrast medium. Zusammenfassung Kannulierung des Uterus bei der Hündin: Die anatomische Anordnung der Geschlechtsorgane bei der Hündin haben bisher die Katheterisierung des Uterus sehr erschwert. Für die hier beschriebene Technik wurde ein 'Führungsinstrument' benutzt, das im Prinzip aus einer Metallröhre besteht, deren craniales Ende mit einer den in die Vagina hineinragenden Teil der Cervix fixierenden Drahtschlinge versehen ist. Bei entsprechender Größe der Schlinge wurde nach Einführung des Instruments die Cervix derart fixiert, daß die durch die Metallröhre eingeführte Kanüle zur äußeren Öffnung des Cervix-Kanals hin gerichtet war. Durch Bewegung des 'Führungsinstruments' unter fluoroskopischer Kontrolle - gelegentlich durch manuelle Palpation der Geschlechtsorgane unterstützt - konnte die Kanüle so auf den Cervical-Kanal ausgerichtet werden, daß sie in den Uterus eingeführt werden konnte. Insgesamt wurden mit dieser Technik bei 65 Tieren 148 Kannulierungen vorgenommen. Sowohl normale Hündinnen in verschiedenen Phasen des Sexualzyklus als auch Hündinnen mit verschiedenen klinischen Störungen im Bereich der Sexualorgane wurden in die Untersuchungen einbezogen. Bei 140 (95%) von 148 Versuchen konnte mit Erfolg kannuliert werden. Die meisten Kannulierungsversuche wurden in Allgemeinnarkose nach intravaginaler Injektion von Kontrastmedien mit Hilfe eines Fluoroskops durchgeführt. Nach Meinung der Autoren sollte es für verschiedene Zwecke, wie z. B. die intrauterine Einführung von Samen, möglich sein, die Technik ohne Anästhesie einzusetzen und auf die Durchleuchtung während der Kannulierung zu verzichten oder zumindest die intravaginale Injektion von Kontrastmittel während der Fluoroskopie zu umgehen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane-associated protein kinase C has been proposed to be essential in transmembrane signalling systems activating neutrophils. A main function of the neutrophil is phagocytosis and killing of microorganisms. Nevertheless, previously published reports mainly have described the effect of artificial or soluble stimulators upon neutrophil protein kinase C activity. Therefore, membrane-associated protein kinase C was studied in neutrophils stimulated by Staphylococcus albus. The bacteria were found to induce a striking increase in membrane-associated protein kinase C, an effect which depended upon a previous opsonization of the bacteria. Cytochalasin B, which inhibits phagocytosis, was shown to abrogate S. albus-induced protein kinase C translocation. Chelation of intracellular calcium totally abolished S. albus-induced protein kinase C translocation, a phenomenon that could not exclusively be ascribed to chelation of extracellular calcium. The diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor R59022, which has been reported to increase endogeneous diacylglycerol accumulation, nearly doubled the effect of S. albus upon membrane associated protein kinase C Pertussis toxin in concentrations which completely inhibited fLMP-induced superoxide generation did not affect S. albus-induced protein kinase C translocation. It is concluded that phagocytosis of S. albus is accompanied by a translocation of protein kinase C to the cell membrane, a phenomenon that relies upon enhanced diacylglycerol production and calcium transients and occurs independently of pertussis toxin-inhibitable G-proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human lymphocytes displayed a frequent natural cytotoxicity (NK) in vitro against normal equine dermal fibroblasts (ED) and against equine tumour cells of a virus-containing cell line (Mc-1). Similarly, human normal sera contained antibodies that induced antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) by normal human lymphocytes against the same target cells. Both NK and ADCC varied for different donors. For individual donors, however, cytotoxicity against the two target cells was significantly correlated both in NK and ADCC, For ED there was also a significant correlation between ADCC and NK activity. Both NK and ADCC showed some selectivity as assessed by cold target cell inhibition. Inhibition studies with Fab fragments of anti-human IgG established the involvement of immunoglobulins in the NK reaction. In this context, a marked and mainly immunoglobulin dependent increase in both NK and ADCC activity against Mc-1 was observed in a laboratory worker frequently exposed to the target cells. The results indicate that variations of natural cytotoxicity in individual donors may sometimes be an indication of an ongoing spontaneous sensitization, [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological data indicate a sexual route of transmission of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) associated Kaposi's sarcoma. Recently human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) has been proposed as the aetiological agent for development of Kaposi's sarcoma. Further the virus has been reported in semen obtained from healthy men. In Denmark strict biochemical and microbiological criteria are used in combination with an intensive interview to select semen donors. Despite these strict criteria, HHV-8 may be transmitted to a recipient and even the child by the use of donor semen. We used four different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and one nested PCR to test semen from 100 Danish donors for the presence of HHV-8 DNA. All 100 samples were consistently negative for HHV-8 DNA, while only one sample (1%) was positive for cytomegalovirus DNA. As HHV-8 was not demonstrated in any of the semen samples, we conclude that the frequency of HHV-8 in semen from Danish donors is very low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In photopheresis peripheral leukocytes are exposed to photoactivated 8-methoxypsoralen in an extracorporeal flow system. The present study was performed to characterize the effect of photopheresis upon the function of peripheral circulating neutrophils. Superoxide generating capacity and chemotactic ability of peripheral circulating neutrophils were tested in seven patients immediately before and after treatment with photopheresis. Superoxide generation stimulated by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) and fMLP-induced chemotaxis were found not to be influenced by photopheresis. We conclude that circulating neutrophils obtained from patients treated with photopheresis possess normal superoxide-generating capacity and chemotactic ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]