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Bactericidal capacity of peripheral blood leucocytes in relation to bacterial infections in acute lymphoblastic
Insights
Children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia show normal phagocytosis but reduced bacterial killing capacity. This impaired immune function in leucocytes correlates with infection frequency, not mortality.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatric Oncology
Background:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a common childhood cancer.
- Leukocyte function, including phagocytosis and bacterial killing, is crucial for immune defense.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phagocytic and bactericidal capacity of peripheral blood leukocytes in children with ALL.
- To determine the relationship between leukocyte bacterial capacity and infection episodes or mortality.
Main Methods:
- Studied phagocytosis and bacterial killing of Staphylococcus aureus by peripheral blood leukocytes.
- Analyzed data from 49 children with ALL, including those in relapse and remission.
Main Results:
- No impairment in phagocytic ability was observed.
- Diminished intracellular killing capacity against Staphylococcus aureus was found in 36% of children in relapse and 25% in remission.
- Leukocyte bactericidal capacity remained consistent within individuals, unaffected by treatment or disease stage.
- A significant positive correlation exists between bactericidal capacity and infection frequency, but not with death from infection.
Conclusions:
- Children with ALL maintain normal phagocytic function but exhibit compromised intracellular bacterial killing.
- Impaired leukocyte bactericidal capacity is a significant factor contributing to recurrent infections in pediatric ALL patients.
- Monitoring leukocyte bactericidal capacity may offer insights into infection risk in children undergoing ALL treatment.
Abstract:
Phagocytosis and bacterial capacity of peripheral blood leucocytes were studied in 49 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. No impairment of phagocytic ability was found, but 36% of children in relapse and 25% in remission had varying degrees of diminished intracellular killing capacity of ingested Staphylococcus aureus. Serial values in the same individual were constant irrespective of drugs used or stage of the disease. There was a highly significant positive correlation between bactericidal capacity ratio and the number of episodes of infection per patient; there was no significant correlation with death from infection.