R. Bialek et P. Bartmann, Is there an effect of immunoglobulins and G-CSF on neutrophil phagocytic activity in preterm infants?, INFECTION, 26(6), 1998, pp. 375-378
The percentage of neutrophils phagocytosing group B streptococci (GBS) in v
itro was determined in ten healthy preterm infants (< 32 weeks of gestation
) and adult controls by using an acridine orange fluorescence whole blood a
ssay. When GBS were opsonized with adult serum, no difference in phagocytic
activity was found between both groups after 10 and 30 min (preterms: 40%
and 68%, adults: 32% and 56%, respectively). Phagocytosis rates in preterm
infants decreased significantly to 6% and 18% (at 10 and 30 min) when pool
serum of preterm infants was used instead. Supplementation of the preterm s
erum with either intravenous immunoglobulin or IgM-enriched immunoglobulin
did not change the results significantly. The addition of granulocyte colon
y-stimulating factor (G-CSF) accelerated phagocytosis significantly after 1
0 min, but did not increase the overall phagocytic activity after 30 min in
either group. Hence the potential benefits of intravenous immunoglobulins
and G-CSF in neonatal sepsis may not be attributable to an immediate increa
se in and direct effect on neutrophil phagocytic activity.