[Increased phagocytosis of N. gonorrhoeae by human granulocytes in vitro after addition of cervicovaginal secretions or serum from patients with gonorrhoea].

Factors promoting the phagocytosis of N. gonorrhoeae were estimated in the cervico-vaginal secretions and in serum of 129 female patients suffering from gonorrhea. 76 healthy women served for comparison. The increase of granulocyte-phagocytosis in vitro, mediated by secretions and serum from patients and in part also from patients after therapy was stronger than that of healthy women. Although the absolute amount of phagocytosis mediated by serum was higher, there was clearly a stronger increase of secretion-mediated phagocytosis, while using material from patients. After inactivation of serum and secretions by heating, a decrease of phagocytosis could be observed in patients and healthy women, too. The greater calculated differences in patients than in healthy persons are distinct signs for stronger induction of thermolabile factors in the patients.