The oxidative metabolic burst of stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) has been evaluated by the measurement of oxygen consumption, chemiluminescence, and oxygen radicals (O2-, H2O2, OH-) derived from activation of the hexose monophosphate shunt (HMPS). PMNs from patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) are shown to lack functional NADPH oxidase and undetectable oxygen radical generation. However, using single cell analysis by flow cytometry and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin (DCFH) oxidation by H2O2, significant DCFH oxidation by the PMA stimulated CGD PMNs was observed. Furthermore, 1mM potassium cyanide enhanced DCFH oxidation by control and CGD PMNs. DCFH oxidation by cells from an obligate heterozygous mother of an X-linked CGD patient was intermediate. These observations suggest that a PMA induced oxidase enzyme is present in CGD cells.