The phagocytic and bactericidal activities of neutrophil granulocytes from 5 patients with early acute myelomonocytic or myeloblastic leukaemia and 5 controls have been examined. In each patient the bactericidal activity was lower than in any control and the neutrophil dysfunction was demonstrated before leukaemia could be diagnosed from clinical and haematological findings. During periods of remission, the bactericidal activity was normal. Results of neutrophil granulocyte function studies may be a significant aid in the early diagnosis of acute myelomonocytic and myeloblastic leukaemia.

A 13-year-old girl with no previously known predisposing disease developed phycomycosis involving the left lung, pleura and shoulder, the left side of the neck, the left thigh, the kidneys and the brain. Prolonged amphotericin B therapy resulted in clinical improvement, but the disease was wide-spread when the patient died 5 months after debut of symptoms from a subarachnoid haemorrhage due to fungal destruction of the basilar artery. During hospitalization, a marked reduction in the bactericidal activity of circulating neutrophil granulocytes was repeatedly demonstrated and the endotoxin stimulated nitroblu tetrazolium test was negative. Together with the demonstration of granuloma formation and the accumulation of lipid-laden histiocytes in the spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow and the thymus, these findings indicate that the patient had a less severe form of chronic granulomatous disease.

16 patients with acute urinary tract infections, 6 with acute lower respiratory tract infections and 3 with miscellaneous infections were treated with 1 g cefazolin parenterally 3 times daily. All patients, except one in whom therapy was discontinued, were cured. Both intramuscular and intravenous administration resulted in high-peak serum levels, and concentrations after 8 h were still inhibitory to relevant pathogens. The drug was well tolerated and caused, after intramuscular injection, probably less pain than does cephalotin. Cefazolin is a rational choice of therapy in severe cases of acute urinary, respiratory, and other infections.

14 patients with lower respiratory tract infections, 6 with postoperative Staphylococcus aureus infections, 5 with erysipelas, 4 with septicemia, and 1 with Diplococcus pneumoniae meningitis were treated with 1 g cephalexin parenterally 4–6 times daily. 27 patients were cured and 1 improved; 1 patient with myco-plasma pneumonia and the meningitis patient failed to respond to therapy. In contrast to intravenous injection, intramuscular administration resulted in low peak levels and prolonged elimination of the drug. 7 patients who received intramuscular therapy complained of pain at the site of injection, and 2 patients became dyspneic during intravenous injections. Parenteral administration of cephalexin may be useful in the treatment of septicemia, lower respiratory tract and soft tissue infections. However, further evaluation of side effects seems advisable.