Neutrophil function in chronic bronchitis

This study was initiated with the question: Do defects in neutrophil functions predispose patients with chronic bronchitis to their recurrent bacterial infections? Forty five patients with chronic bronchitis and recurrent bacterial infections were studied. A number of aspects of neutrophil functions reflecting migratory and phagocytic functions and oxidative metabolism were measured in vitro, once in all 45 patients and 3 times in 22 patients over a period of 6 months. A great number of abnormalities was found on the first occasion with a complete normalization for all variables except one at the end of the observation period. The number of infectious exacerbations was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) at the start of the observation period i.e. October-November, as compared to the end, i.e. April-May. The oxidative metabolism, as reflected by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence, was significantly reduced (p less than 0.001) also at the period of few infections, suggesting a primary defect of the neutrophil. Smoking was shown to adversely affect luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence and the chemokinetic activity of the patients' cells. We conclude that most variables were altered in a way which was anticipated from the study of individuals with acute bacterial infections. The probable primary defect in oxidative metabolism of the neutrophils in addition to the acquired defects as a consequence of smoking may add to the predisposition of some individuals to their recurrent bacterial infections.