MPO and osteomyelitis: The investigation of the mechanism of the protection of preceding osteomyelitis in the animals of OP group from death compared to the animals of P group comprised: (a) the innate immune response as expressed by the cytokine production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs); and (b) the potential of neutrophils for phagocytosis as expressed by tissue activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO).