Résumé
The aim of the present investigation was to study the defect of neutrophil chemotaxis in the disease compared individuals. Patients with juvenile periodontitis were grouped into one of the two recognized form of the disease, the localized form and the generalized type. Periodontitis, 17 patients having the generalized form of the disease and 10 healthy individuals were assessed for chemotaxis using a Boyden diffusion chamber. The results showed that neutrophil chemotaxis in juvenile periodontitis, especially the localized form is less than normal individuals. The defect of neutrophils may be related to the high concentration of endotoxins in the disease or due to absence of glycoprotein on the surface membrane which interferes with neutrophil migration. Also, the defect may be genetic or due to presence of lysozymes in a high concentration inhibiting neutrophil chemotaxis by binding the cell wall of neutrophils. The decrease of neutrophil chemotaxis in the localized than the generalized forms of the disease may be related to the difference of pathogenic microorganisms between the two forms of the disease