DEPRESSION OF PHAGOCYTOSIS BY SOLUTES IN CONCENTRATIONS FOUND IN THE KIDNEY AND URINE*

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Abstract
In order to elucidate the peculiar susceptiblity of the kidney to infection by bacteria that seldom produce disease elsewhere, a study was made of phagocytosis in fluids containing solutes in the variable concentrations found only in the kidney and urinary tract. Within the range found in the normal kidney and urine, high concentrations of sodium, urea, and hydrogen ion inhibited phagocytosis by human leukocytes. Phagocytosis was inhibited by glucose in concentrations found in the urinary tract in diabetes mellitus. Highly concentrated human urines also depressed phagocytosis, but more dilute urines usually did not. Evidence has thus been obtained that phagocytosis might be impaired in the urinary system and that resistance to infection in the kidney might be thereby reduced.

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