While lounging in a cool swimming pool on a hot day this summer, imagine yourself as a microorganism recently engulfed by a phagocyte. You'll be closer than you think. When these immune system cells ingest invading microorganisms, they surround them with fluid-filled sacs called phagosomes. Commercial hypochlorous acid is mercifully diluted. In the phagosome, however, this powerful oxidant can kill almost any bacteria.
Oxidants are highly unstable molecules that attract electrons.
When they come within the vicinity of a microorganism, as they do in the phagosome, they literally steal electrons from the enemy, making it impossible for the microorganism to replicate. These chemical reactions among oxidants in the cell are part of a process called phagocytosis, which Dr. Seymour Klebanoff, professor of medicine, will discuss in more detail in the Distinguished Scientist Science in Medicine lecture. In later work, he showed that this murderous intracellular oxidant does not always work to our benefit, however. Under some circumstances, there is evidence that the phenomenon may damage kidney tissue, Klebanoff said. Klebanoff's research has also led to the discovery that bacteria found in the vaginal flora called lactobacilli also produce H 2 O 2 and use it to kill other bacteria in the region.