Defective Phagocytosis in Anaplasma phagocytophilum - Infected Neutrophils

Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection induces functional neutrophil changes. Using both Candida albicans and fluorescent-aggregate phagocytosis assays, we examined whether neutrophil and dimethyl sulfoxide-differentiated HL-60 cell infection impairs internalization. A. phagocytophilum infection significantly decreased phagocytosis compared to that of controls ( P < 0.05). This further impairment of neutrophil function may promote opportunistic infections and exacerbate disease.