Phagocyte functions in familial Mediterranean fever.

Monocytes derived from peripheral blood of patients with familial Mediterranean fever (F.M.F.) demonstrated lower phagocytic capacity for Shigella flexneri and depressed bactericidal activity against S. albus when compared to monocytes from healthy individuals. Treatment of patients with colchicine did not alter these functions. On the other hand, chemokinesis of PMN of F.M.F. patients was enhanced especially during attacks. Colchicine treatment decreased significantly the PMN chemotactic migration.