Phagocytic activity of neutrophils in human fascioliasis before and after treatment

ABSTRACT

Neutrophil phagocytic function was studied in 15 patients with chronic fasciolosis and 5 in the incubating phase of the disease. The results were compared with a control group. The chemotactic index, which is the ratio of directed to non-directed migration, the NBT reduction test, which estimated phagocytosis, and the more recent and specific test, the chemiluminescence, which measured phagocytosis, and intracellular killing were performed. The results showed that in fascioliasis chemotactic activity, NBT and chemiluminescence index were significantly increased as compared with control. This increase was more prominent in the acute phase. In this stage, the immature parasites are in close contact with the liver tissue. With chronicity of infection, they reach the bile ducts and inflammation in the liver parenchyma subsides. At this stage, a lower level of metabolites and antigens reach the tissue, while the majority pass with bile to the intestinal lumen. The indices returned to normal level after treatment of fascioliasis. This signifies disappearance of all stimuli responsible for activation of PMV phagocytes