Clinical and laboratory work-up of patients with neutrophil shortage or dysfunction.
Neutrophils have a crucial function in the defense against bacteria and fungi. Indeed, during chronic, severe neutropenia and in case of severe neutrophil dysfunctions, the patients may suffer recurrent and sometimes life-threatening infections. This article describes the clinical symptoms, the theory behind the antimicrobial systems of neutrophils, the methods to diagnose the various aberrations, and the possibilities for treating these patients. A few of the most common causes of neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunctions are described in detail, including recent genetic information regarding the cause of these diseases.
Kuijpers
T W
TW
Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Weening
R S
RS
Roos
D
D
D000818:Animals; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D010585:Phagocyte Bactericidal Dysfunction / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology