Neutrophil functions in renal transplant recipients.

Neutrophils obtained from peripheral blood of renal allograft recipients were studied for their ability to kill Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as to enhance intracellular metabolism measured by the reduction of NBT salts. In addition, the influence of sera these patients on normal cells was investigated. At the same time, these cells were also tested for candidacidal activity. The data derived from these studies indicate that phagocytic cells from these patients are impaired with respect to their capacity to fight the pathogenic microorganisms as well as their sera do not promote normal killing of microorganisms, while the NBT reaction is not changed significantly. Large doses of steroids and rejection crises do not appear to affect dramatically these functions, while an ATG therapy abolishes neutrophil killing ability.