Assessment of phagocytic activity of neutrophils in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

To assess the phagocytic activity of neutrophils in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

There is a paucity of data in relation to phagocytic function in COPD. By this multidisciplinary study, a better understanding about the etiology of lung destruction among COPD patients is being sought.

The study was conducted among 28 subjects with COPD and 25 controls in a private tertiary hospital in Chennai after obtaining Institutional Ethical Clearance. Known cases of COPD as proven by clinical findings and spirometry were included in the study, and subjects with any other source of infection, recent surgery, or chronic granulomatous disease were excluded. The study subjects were divided into three groups based on the severity of COPD as determined by spirometry, and healthy volunteers were taken as Group 4. After obtaining informed consent, validated respiratory health questionnaire was administered. The phagocytic function was assessed by Candida phagocytic test and Nitroblue Tetrazolium (NBT) Reduction Test.

Significantly impaired phagocytic function as indicated by lower phagocytic, lytic indices and decreased NBT reduction of neutrophils was seen in COPD subjects compared to normal healthy controls (P < .001).

This study showed that there is phagocytic dysfunction in COPD subjects when compared with normal subjects. This could be due to underlying inflammation in human airway. Understanding the role of neutrophils may lead to improved understanding of the pathogenesis of COPD, which in turn may pave way for implementing modified therapeutic intervention strategies.