The phagocytosis rate of polymorphonuclear leucocytes was measured by
flow-cytometry. Vital bacteria were incubated in whole blood. 111 bloo
d samples were measured, 54 in diabetic patients (14 type 1 and 40 typ
e 2), the rest of 57 samples in healthy controls. Results showed first
ly, that a decompensation in glucose metabolism in diabetic patients c
orrelated with a decrease in phagocytosis. The HbA1 level was more clo
sely correlated than the glucose level. The second result was, that de
spite a similar grade of decompensation in type 1 and type 2 diabetic
patients, the phagocytosis was significantly lower in type 1 diabetes.
No correlation was found concerning age and sex. These findings show,
that the impact on granulocytic function in diabetes is of multifacto
rial origin, not only a shorter or longer elevation of the serum gluco
se level can explain it solely.