Demonstration by the Nadi Reaction of Cytochrome Oxidase Activity in Cells of the Lymphoid and Myeloid Series Obtained from Normal Individuals and Patients Suffering from Hodgkin’s and Other Diseases

Using the Nadi reaction, cytochemical studies of the cytochrome oxidase activity of cells of lymphoid and myeloid tissue were carried out. Normal cells and those from patients with Hodgkin’s disease and leukemia were examined.

With the exception of monocytes and macrophages cells from lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow and peripheral blood show a low level of cytochrome activity when compared with myocardial, liver and renal tubular epithelium.

Leukemic cells and those from lymph nodes affected by Hodgkin’s disease contain about the same degree of cytochrome activity as their normal counterparts, under the conditions of this study.

The cytoplasmic particles stained by the Nadi reaction correspond in size, distribution and number to particles which can be stained supravitally by janus green.