Neutrophil function in megaloblastic anemia.
Chemotaxis, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction and the presence of Fc gamma receptors on surface membranes were measured in the peripheral blood neutrophils of 20 patients with megaloblastic anemia (15 with folate deficiency and 5 with pernicious anemia). The percent of NBT- or Fc gamma-positive neutrophils was the same for patients and normal controls. In contrast, chemotaxis was decreased approximately 20% (P less than 0.05) in megaloblastic anemia and when anemia was corrected in 3 cases, chemotaxis increased to levels within the normal range. In contrast to what one would expect on the basis of these laboratory findings, there are no reports of increased susceptibility to infections in these patients.
Falcão
R P
RP
Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil.
D000748:Anemia, Macrocytic / Q000097:blood*; D000749:Anemia, Megaloblastic / Q000097:blood*; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; D006801:Humans; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium / Q000378:metabolism; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000276:immunology; D017452:Receptors, IgG
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium