Effect of temperature on phagocytic activity of neutrophils

The effect of temperature on phagocytic activity of neutrophils has been evaluated. Freshly collected heparinised blood samples from young healthy volunteers were incubated with heat killed Staphylococcus aureus at 37 degrees C, 38 degrees C, 39 degrees C and 40 degrees C for 20 minutes. Some of the neutrophils engulfed some heat killed bacteria. Then the blood smears were prepared and stained by Leishman's stain. Engulfed bacteria within the neutrophils stained intensely were observed and counted to find out the phagocytic index and avidity index of the neutrophils. It was found that phagocytic index increased significantly at 38 degrees C and 39 degrees C in comparison to that of at 37 degrees C but did not show significant increase when incubated at 40 degrees C. It seems that contractile elements responsible for the movement of the neutrophils through the formation of pseudopod is more activated at higher temperature (38 degrees C and 39 degrees C) in comparison to that of at normal body temperature (37 degrees C). Temperature higher than 39 degrees C may cause impairment in enzyme function responsible for assembly and disassembly of actin and myosin filaments in the cell causing decreased movement and decreased rate of formation of psudopod resulting in decreased phagocytic activity.