Studies of human granulocytes function, especially in reference to infection

Effects of infectious diseases or a bacterial endotoxin on the chemotaxis and bactericidal capacity of human neutrophils have been studied. Normal neutrophil chemotaxis was observed in mild infections. However, in severe infections, there were decreased levels of chemotaxis and bactericidal activity. The endotoxin enhanced chemotaxis but not bactericidal activity at a low concentration, even though a high concentration of the endotoxin suppressed both chemotaxis and bactericidal activity. In addition, the chemotactic activity of neutrophils was examined in seventy five diseases. In twelve diseases, decreased levels of chemotaxis were found.