In vitro effect of complete Staphylococcus aureus extract on chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear cells in children with bronchial asthma and chronic relapsing upper airways infections.

UNLABELLED

Chemokinesis and chemotaxis were measured in polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) from 51 children aged 1 to 8 years old, of either sex. Case group--41 non-allergic asthmatic children with chronic relapsing upper airways infections, diagnostic criteria were history of wheezing associated to an upper airways infection episode and negative skin tests.

CONTROL GROUP

10 healthy children. A sample of 10 ml of peripheral venous blood was drawn. PMN were incubated with Hank's solution to measure chemokinesis and with C5a and Staphylococcus aureus extract to measure chemotaxis. Chemokinesis values in healthy control children and in patients with non-allergic bronchial asthma were of 46.0 +/- 7.1 vs 23.8 +/- 6.1 microns (p < 0.01). C5a-stimulated chemotaxis values in healthy control children and in patients with non-allergic bronchial asthma were of 91.0 +/- 21.3 vs 92.3 +/- 21.0 microns (ns), and Staphylococcus aureus extract-stimulated chemotaxis values in healthy control children and in patients with non-allergic bronchial asthma were of 97.0 +/- 22.4 vs 92.0 +/- 23.0 microns (ns). These results suggest that PMN from children with non-atopic asthma have reduced chemokinesis. After a chemotactic stimulus with C5a and bacterial extract, leukocyte motility is corrected and reach similar values to that present in healthy children.