Influence of HIV-infection on the phagocytic activity of monocytes/macrophages and granulocytes.
Because of the great importance of phagocytosis as a key process in host defence, the influence of HIV-infection on the phagocytic activity of monocytes/macrophages (M0/MAC) and granulocytes was investigated. Therefore, blood samples from the peripheral blood of 70 HIV-infected individuals were incubated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled Escherichia coli. The uptake of the bacteria was monitored by flow cytometer analysis. A strong and significant increase in the relative number of phagocytic granulocytes was observed ranging from 12.8% in an uninfected control collective to over 30% in AIDS patients. This effect was obtained for all patients and independent of the stage of disease. For monocytes, only marginal changes were found in their phagocytic function. These data suggest that the high susceptibility of HIV patients for secondary infections is not linked to a loss of phagocytic ability of monocytes/macrophages and/or granulocytes.
Schäfer
V
V
Institut für Pharmazeutische Technologie, Frankfurt am Mainz, Germany.
Kreuter
J
J
Rübsamen-Waigmann
H
H
Gerte
S
S
von Briesen
H
H