[Infection and regulation of leukocytes by autonomic nervous system]

The distribution of leukocyte pattern (i.e., the granulocyte to lymphocyte ratio) is changed by microbial infections. We found that the autonomic nervous system is also intimately associated with the inflammatory response. Even in the absence of such infections, the distribution of leukocyte pattern is changed by stimulation of the autonomic nervous system itself. When these changes become significant, people are susceptible to diseases such as purulent inflammation or allergic inflammation.