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Delayed phagocytosis and bacterial killing in Chediak-Higashi syndrome neutrophils detected by a fluorochrome assay: ultrastructural aspects

Abstract

The few studies already published about phagocyte functions in Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) has stated that neutrophils present slow rate of bacterial killing but normally ingest microorganisms. In the present study, both phagocytosis and killing of Staphylococcus aureus were verified to be in neutrophils from two patients with CHS when these functions were simultaneously evaluated by a fluorochrome phagocytosis assay. Electron microscopic examination showed morphologic differences among neutophils from CHS patients and normal neutrophils regarding the cytoplasmic structures and the aspects of the phagolysosomes. It was noteworthy the presence of giant phagolysosomes enclosing bacteria in active proliferation commonly observed in CHS neutrophils after 45 min of phagocytosis, wich corresponded with the impaired bactericidal activity of these leukocytes. The present results suggest that phagocytosis may also be defective in CHS, and point out to the sensitivity of the fluorochrome phagocytosis assay and its application in clinical laboratories.

neutrophils; Chediak; Higashi syndrome; phagocytosis; bacterial killing


ABSTRACT

Delayed phagocytosis and bacterial killing in Chediak-Higashi syndrome neutrophils detected by a fluorochrome assay: ultrastructural aspects

Raquel Bellinati-Pires

Maristela M. Salgado1

Paulo P. Joazeiro2

Magda M. S. Carneiro-Sampaio3

Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Seção de Imunologia, São Paulo, Brasil

Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Seção de Microscopia Eletrônica, São Paulo, Brasil

Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Imunologia, São Paulo, Brasil

The few studies already published about phagocyte functions in Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) has stated that neutrophils present slow rate of bacterial killing but normally ingest microorganisms. In the present study, both phagocytosis and killing of Staphylococcus aureus were verified to be in neutrophils from two patients with CHS when these functions were simultaneously evaluated by a fluorochrome phagocytosis assay. Electron microscopic examination showed morphologic differences among neutophils from CHS patients and normal neutrophils regarding the cytoplasmic structures and the aspects of the phagolysosomes. It was noteworthy the presence of giant phagolysosomes enclosing bacteria in active proliferation commonly observed in CHS neutrophils after 45 min of phagocytosis, wich corresponded with the impaired bactericidal activity of these leukocytes. The present results suggest that phagocytosis may also be defective in CHS, and point out to the sensitivity of the fluorochrome phagocytosis assay and its application in clinical laboratories.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    04 June 2009
  • Date of issue
    Dec 1992
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