Random and directed migration, O2- production, degranulation and adhes
ion were studied in neutrophils obtained from patients with homozygous
beta-thalassaemia and iron overload, in the presence or absence of th
alassaemic serum. The only significant defect found was an impairment
in directed chemotaxis, further depressed after addition of thalassaem
ic serum. The chemotactic defect was encountered in all the patients t
hat have suffered from pyogenic infections except one, and was not cor
related with the severity of the iron overload. It is suggested that t
he described neutrophil migration impairment may contribute to the ten
dency towards infection in certain patients with homozygous beta-thala
ssaemia.