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Polymorphonuclear leukocyte function in bacterial and viral infections
Abstract:
Chemiluminescence (CL) production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) was examined in 63 patients with bacterial infections and 63 healthy controls. The production was significantly higher in the patients (mean +/- standard error = 134.5 +/- 5.0 X 10(3) cpm) than in the controls (118.9 +/- 2.5 X 10(3) cpm; p less than 0.05). In 38 patients CL values were within the normal range and in 19 patients above. CL production below that of any control occurred in 6 patients: 3 (of 4) with staphylococcal endocarditis, 2 (of 4) with pneumococcal meningitis and 1 with salmonella septicaemia and osteomyelitis. PMNL hexose monophosphate shunt activity as measured by glucose metabolism correlated with CL production. Patients with low CL production more often had large numbers of juvenile and immature myeloid cells in the peripheral blood than patients with normal or high CL values. 3/6 patients with low CL values died, 2/38 with normal and 0/19 with high values. Directed and spontaneous PMNL migration was examined in 39 of the 63 patients with bacterial infections. 13 patients had PMNLs with higher directed and 16 with higher spontaneous migration capacity than their corresponding controls. The remaining patients had PMNLs with lower migration capacity. 2 of the 39 patients died. Each had PMNLs with low migration capacity. CL production by PMNLs was examined in 16 patients with viral infections and 16 healthy controls. The production was significantly lower in the patients (mean +/- standard error = 105.5 +/- 6.6 X 10(3) cpm) than in the controls (129.1 +/- 5.3 X 10(3) cpm; p less than 0.01). 15 patients had lower values than their corresponding controls. The PMNL migration capacity was also lower in the patients. These findings indicate that the majority of patients with bacterial infections have PMNLs with normal or increased function. However, some patients have reduced PMNL function and this reduction may contribute to a fatal outcome of the disease. Patients with viral infections usually have reduced PMNL function.
Insights
Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) function, measured by chemiluminescence (CL) and migration, is often heightened in bacterial infections but reduced in viral infections. Impaired PMNL function in bacterial cases correlates with poorer outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) are crucial immune cells involved in pathogen defense.
- Chemiluminescence (CL) production and cell migration are key indicators of PMNL function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate PMNL function, specifically CL production and migration capacity, in patients with bacterial and viral infections.
- To determine if altered PMNL function correlates with disease severity and patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Chemiluminescence (CL) production was measured in PMNLs from 63 bacterial infection patients and 63 controls.
- PMNL migration (directed and spontaneous) was assessed in 39 bacterial infection patients.
- CL production and migration were also evaluated in 16 viral infection patients and 16 controls.
- Correlation with clinical data, including mortality, was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Bacterial infection patients generally showed higher CL production than controls, though 6 patients had reduced function, associated with severe infections and higher mortality.
- PMNL migration varied, with some bacterial patients exhibiting enhanced capacity and others reduced capacity, with low migration linked to mortality.
- Viral infection patients consistently displayed lower CL production and migration capacity compared to controls.
- Reduced PMNL function in bacterial infections was linked to immature myeloid cells in peripheral blood.
Conclusions:
- The majority of bacterial infections involve normal or enhanced PMNL function, but a subset with reduced function faces poorer prognosis.
- Viral infections are typically associated with impaired PMNL function.
- Altered PMNL function, particularly reduction, may play a significant role in the outcome of infectious diseases.