Deconvolution of chemiluminescent emission curve associated with phagocytosis into three logarithmic normal distributions

The chemiluminescent emission reaction dependence on the activity of phagoc ytosis is well known. However, this method is not used to diagnostically in clinical assessment because the relationship between phagocytizing activit y and chemiluminescent intensity has not been clearly established. Therefor e, we attempted to analyze quantitatively the chemiluminescent emission cur ve by the phagocytosis of leukocytes. Mathematical assessment of the emissi on curve with respect to time was performed by fitting the curve to several regression models using the unweighed non-linear least squares method. A t riple logarithmic normal distribution model provided a reasonable goodness of fit to the measured emission curve. The first component, about 5% of the calculated total counts, was assumed to arise from monocytes activity, the second component, about 20% from eosinocytes activity and the third compon ent, up to 75%, from neutrophils activity. This method seems promising as a means for assaying whole blood without the need for pretreatment and for t he providing a valid index that is independent of the technical differences between laboratories.