Evaluation of neutrophil chemotaxis and chemokinesis in patients with asthma

ABSTRACT

In order to evaluate neutrophil function in asthma, we studied high and low densities neutrophil chemotaxis and chemokinesis in 26 asthmatic patients during an asymptomatic period, in 12 patients during an exacerbation and in 20 normal controls. Neutrophils of low density showed a significant increase in chemotaxis both during the asymptomatic and exacerbation periods while chemokinesis was unchanged. Neutrophils of the high density showed no significant differences in chemotaxis and chemokinesis in patients and controls. These results suggest that neutrophils of low density are implicated in the genesis of bronchial hyperreactivity and late phase reactions underlining asthma