Assessment of neutrophil function: an introduction

Normal neutrophil function depends on the integration of chemotaxis, phagocytosis, degranulation and oxidative metabolism. As congenital and acquired neutrophil abnormalities increase the risk of infection, frequently with no other diagnostic features, diagnosis depends upon specialist laboratory investigations. Techniques for quantitative evaluation of the principal neutrophil functions are discussed, and a preliminary screening programme for neutrophil abnormalities proposed.