Impairment of some microphage functions in recurrent herpes simplex.

Chemotactic, phagocytic and intracellular killing activities of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) were investigated in vitro in 49 patients suffering from recurrent bouts of herpes simplex. A slight impairment of chemotactic activity and a markedly reduced capacity of killing Candida albicans blastospores were revealed. Phagocytic capacity and NADH-dependent oxidase activity of PMNL proved to be normal. The results point to an alteration of some PMNL functions in these patients.