Parameters of normal polymorphonuclear cell function in patients with repeated gonococcal infections.

The response to phagocytic stimuli was tested for polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells from gonorrhea repeaters, first-time infected patients, and never-infected controls. PMN function was assessed by measuring quantitative leukocyte iodination, glucose-1-C oxidation, and phagocytosis and killing of Staphylococcus aureus 502A. No significant differences in PMN function were noted for the three groups studied. However, white patients had significantly greater leukocyte iodination than black patients (p less than 0.05) and males tended to have greater leukocyte iodination than females (p less than 0.02). It is concluded that PMN cells from gonorrhea repeaters, first-time infected patients, and never-infected controls respond equally well to in vitro phagocytic stimuli. This implies that a significant defect in PMN cell function should not be implicated as a reason for the apparent susceptibility of gonorrhea repeaters to multiple genital gonococcal infections.