Leukocytosis induced by plasma exchange.

A significant increase was found in the number of white blood cells, including neutrophils, in the peripheral blood of patients during plasma exchange. However, the spontaneous chemiluminescence of peripheral white blood cells (basically characterized the activated state of neutrophils) was not elevated. This finding suggests a relative deficiency in the metabolism of neutrophils during plasma exchange.

[Status of the hypophysis-adrenal cortex system during treatment with glucocorticoids by the method of intermittent (every other day) administration].

The authors discuss the advantages of the use of glucocorticoids in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, if the drugs are administered every other day. A total of 149 patients with autoimmune thyroiditis, endocrine ophthalmopathy, myasthenia and bronchial asthma were examined. Of these, 3 patients received glucocorticoids every other day, whereas the remainder took them every day.