Polymorphonuclear dysfunction in bronchopulmonary diseases in human adults.

Polymorphonuclear (PMN) functions were assessed in 55 patients with asthma or bronchial bacterial infection to evaluate the systemic phagocyte capability of patients with bronchopulmonary diseases. Random migration, nitroblue tetrazolium dye reduction, and Candida killing activity were markedly decreased in the 2 types of patients studied. PMN dysfunction was more pronounced in the most affected and heavily treated patients. Considering both the rare occurrence of congenital polymorphonuclear defects and the age of the patients studied we concluded that the PMN abnormalities observed were secondary to the onset of respiratory disease. This impairment of circulating phagocytes may contribute to the rise of a systemic susceptibility to infection able to aggravate the underlying bronchopulmonary disease.