title: Phagocytosis and killing of Staphylococcus aureus: effects of stress and depression in children.
abstract: While a large body of literature depicting relationships between depression or stress and immunity exists, few such studies have dealt with children, and none investigated myeloid cell-derived immunity. We investigated both phagocytosis and bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus in children with major depressive disorder (MDD). We found that both MDD and stress influence the bactericidal but not the phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The data support the existence of psychobiologic effects in children and suggest possible mechanisms by which depression and stress may affect health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07103, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bartlett
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Demetrikopoulos
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Schleifer
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Keller
mesh_terms: D001770:Blood Bactericidal Activity; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D010587:Phagocytosis; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*