Cellular and humoral components of neutrophil chemotaxis in neonates with bacterial infection.

The initial stage of infection is characterized by both, changes in leucocyte function and humoral factors activity. In this paper we evaluated random migration and chemotaxis of neutrophils and serum ability to generate humoral factors influencing the neutrophil function. The studies were performed in 51 neonates during the acute phase of bacterial infection and in the remission time. Both random migration and chemotaxis were decreased during the acute phase of disease and normalized during remission. The same was true for serum ability to generate chemotactic activity. The serum of sick neonates did not alter the mobility of neutrophils isolated from adult healthy donors and it did not influence the normal chemotactic activity. We conclude, that the handicapped locomotive abilities of neutrophils in bacterial infection are temporary, and may require in severely ill infants supportive therapy to maintain adequate cellular and humoral immunity.