CHEMOTACTIC FACTORS AS CAUSE OF POLYLEUKOCYTE URINE IN URINARY-TRACT INFECTION - CHEMOTACTIC ACTIVITY OF URINARY PROTEIN-FRACTION

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  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 17  (4) , 269-272
Abstract
The possible cause of the excessive increase in the number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes [PMN] in the urine of patients suffering from urinary tract infections [UTI] was investigated in regard to the chemotactic factor(s) for the leukocyte. Urinary protein fractions of 2 controls and 10 patients with UTI were separated by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-50 column and chemotactic activity was tested in vitro by using Boyden''s apparatus and in vivo by injecting the protein fractions into guinea pig skins. Chemotactic activity was found in the urinary protein fractions of 6 patients. The fractions of these 6 patients showed typical infiltration of PMN in the local tissue of guinea pigs. A high correlation was found between the activity and the leukocyte increase, although there was no relation between the type of infecting bacteria and chemotactic activity. The marked increase in the number of urinary leukocytes may be attributable to the chemotactic factor(s) in the urine.