Defective polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis in homosexual men with persistent lymph node syndrome

Persistent lymph node syndrome, epidemiologically related to acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is characterized by reactive lymphadenopathy and an increased incidence of localized bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Seven typical patients were found to have a localized infection every 4.5 +/- 2.0 months (mean +/- SD) since onset of adenopathy. Because recurrent bacterial infections may be associated with defective polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) function, studies of PMNL function in these patients were undertaken. The patients' PMNLs had diminished chemotactic responses to high concentrations of two structurally distinct chemotactic factors, leukotriene B4 and N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine. The patients' PMNLs also had deficient degranulating responses to the former but not to the latter. Diminished PMNL function may contribute to the observed increased incidence of localized infections, which are a major source of morbidity, in these patients.