Abnormal chemotaxis in patients with cutaneous anergy

Chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and mononuclear leukocytes was studied in six patients who had persistent cutaneous anergy. Four had previous infections (three fungal and one caused by Mycobacterium kansasii), one had sarcoidosis, and one had late-onset immunoglobulin deficiency. Our data indicate that some patients with persistent cutaneous anergy have a combined defect of leukocyte function. Lymphocytes incubated in vitro with mitogen failed to elaborate active lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor when compared with controls. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes and mononuclear leukocytes responded poorly to normal chematactic factors compared with controls. The abnormal mononuclear leukocyte chemotaxis may play a role in the persistent cutaneous anergy of these patients.