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Harold G. Muchmore, MD; Archie B. Blackburn, MD; Jay T. Shurley, MD; Chester M. Pierce, MD; Beverly A. McKown, MS

Arch Intern Med. 1970;125(4):646-648.

Abstract
Five men isolated at Plateau Station, Antarctica, during the course of a south polar winter exhibited a significant drop (P<0.002) in the number of circulating leukocytes throughout the period of isolation. Shortly after return to normal social intercourse their white blood cell counts rose to normal levels similar to those observed prior to the isolation period. The total white blood cell count fell from a mean of 7,800/cu mm to a mean of 3,500/cu mm during the isolation period and returned to 7,500/ cu mm after return to civilization. The decrease was restricted to neutrophils. Although there was a significant relative lymphocytosis during the leukopenic period, the absolute number of lymphocytes did not deviate from normal values. This neutropenia may reflect an antigen deprivation consequent to the isolation from normal social contacts.

Author Affiliations
Oklahoma City

From the Veterans Administration Hospital and the departments of medicine and psychiatry, University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, Oklahoma City; and Task Force 43 and the Medical Department, US Navy. Dr. Blackburn is now with the Veterans Administration Hospital, Dallas, and Dr. Pierce is now with Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

Footnotes
Received for publication Oct 1, 1969; accepted Dec 29.

The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private ones of the writers, and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of the Navy or the Naval service at large.

Reprint requests to 921 NE 13th St, Oklahoma City 73104 (Dr. Muchmore).

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