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[Phagocyte characteristics in acute suppurative surgical infection]
Abstract:
The chemotaxis of PMN against E. coli filtrate, as well as the adherence and phagocytosis of bovine RBC, both uncoated and IgM-, IgG- or C'-coated, were studied in 10 healthy donors, 15 patients with local infections, 22 patients with the onset of the generalized infection and 25 patients with sepsis (including 7 patients with the lethal process). In patients with local infections the above-mentioned factors remained unchanged during treatment. In patients wit the onset of generalization chemotaxis and immune phagocytosis increased after the beginning of treatment. In septic patients showing a good response to treatment immune adherence and nonimmune, phagocytosis were stimulated. In patients with lethal sepsis a high level of immune adherence, but at the same time suppressed immune phagocytosis were observed.
Insights
Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function, including chemotaxis and phagocytosis, was assessed in various infection stages. Immune responses varied significantly, with sepsis patients showing suppressed phagocytosis despite high immune adherence.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Neutrophil function, including chemotaxis, adherence, and phagocytosis, is critical in combating bacterial infections.
- Changes in these functions can indicate disease progression and treatment response in patients with infections.
- Bovine red blood cells (RBCs) coated with immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG) or complement (C') are commonly used to assess immune phagocytosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional status of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in patients with local infections, generalized infections, and sepsis.
- To evaluate the impact of infection severity and treatment on PMN chemotaxis, adherence, and phagocytosis.
- To correlate specific immune parameters with patient outcomes, including lethal sepsis.
Main Methods:
- Chemotaxis of PMNs towards E. coli filtrate was measured.
- Adherence and phagocytosis of uncoated and opsonized (IgM-, IgG-, or C'-coated) bovine RBCs by PMNs were assessed.
- These immune functions were studied in healthy donors and patients at different stages of infection and sepsis.
Main Results:
- In patients with local infections, PMN functions remained unchanged during treatment.
- In patients with generalized infection onset, chemotaxis and immune phagocytosis increased post-treatment.
- Septic patients responding well to treatment showed stimulated immune adherence and non-immune phagocytosis.
- Patients with lethal sepsis exhibited high immune adherence but suppressed immune phagocytosis.
Conclusions:
- PMN functional responses are dynamic and vary with the stage and severity of infection.
- Assessing PMN chemotaxis, adherence, and phagocytosis can provide insights into disease progression and treatment efficacy.
- Impaired immune phagocytosis, despite high immune adherence, characterizes lethal sepsis, suggesting a complex immune dysregulation.