DEPRESSED NEUTROPHIL CHEMOTAXIS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC RENAL-FAILURE AND AFTER RENAL-TRANSPLANTATION

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 88  (4) , 536-545
Abstract
Polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis, phagocytosis and bactericidal ability were tested with neutrophils from patients with chronic renal failure on conservative therapy, from others on regular peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis and from a group of patients who received renal allografts. Chemotaxis was depressed in all groups. Phagocytosis was mildly impaired in the 2 groups on dialysis. The leukocytes of patients on conservative therapy had mildly decreased killing ability; this function was normal in other groups tested. When activated with [Escherichia coli] endotoxin sera from all patients were poorly chemotactic to normal neutrophils, especially in those on conservative therapy and hemodialysis, but these sera functioned normally as opsonins for phagocytosis. The observed defect in chemotaxis could at least partially account for the frequency of bacterial infections in these patients.