Expression of receptor Fc gamma RIII and phagocytic capacity of neutrophils in septic children

Sepsis and its complications remain a frequent cause of death, but the path ogenesis of sepsis has not been thoroughly investigated. Ineffective elimin ation of the pathogen may be important in the development of a generalized inflammatory response. In this study, phagocytosis and the expression of Fc gamma RIII on neutrophils in peripheral blood from 25 children with sepsis and 25 healthy children were analyzed. The study was conducted in the init ial phase of sepsis and then repeated 2-3 months after resolution. In the c ourse of sepsis, a decrease in the percentage of neutrophils with Fc gamma RIII and the number of phagocytozing neutrophils compared with the control group were observed. Even after resolution, there was a decrease in the neu trophil phagocytic capacity. The persistent dysfunction of phagocytic cells in children after resolution of sepsis suggests the possibility of serious recurrent infections.