Neutrophil function in megaloblastic anemia

ABSTRACT

Chemotaxis, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction and the presence of Fcy receptors on surface membranes were in the peripheral blood neutrophils of 20 patients with megaloblastic anemia (15 with folate deficiency and 5 with pernicious anemia). The percent of NBT - or Fcy - positive neutrophils was the same for patients and normal controls. In contrast, chemotaxis was decreased - 20% (P < 0.05) in megaloblastic anemia and when anemia was correcred in 3 cases, chemotaxis increased to levels within the normal range. In contrast to wath one would expect on the basis of these laboratory findings, there are no reports of increased susceptibility to infections in these patients