Phagocytosis and candidacidal activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in uremia

The phagocytic and candidacidal functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes were evaluated in uremic patients. Neutrophils were derived from 12 patients treated by regular hemodialysis, eight nondialyzed uremic patients (glomerular filtration rate less than 20 ml/min), and nine healthy subjects. The ability of the neutrophils, suspended in autologous plasma, to phagocytize and kill Candida albicans cells was determined in vitro. The percentages of cells showing phagocytosis were 48.5 +/- 11.3 (SD) in the dialyzed patients, 52.7 +/- 13 in the nondialyzed uremic patients and 52.7 +/- 16.7 in the control group. The percentages of the yeast cells killed were also similar in the three groups: 27.6, 25.4, and 26.8%, respectively. There appears to be no impairment in the effector functions of the neutrophils in uremia. A possible depressive effect of the uremic plasma is also excluded.