1983 Volume 57 Issue 6 Pages 487-494
The phagocytic and bactericidal activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in 30 diabetics were determined by the modified method of Quie, and compared with those of 12 controls. In this study Staphylococcus aureus (209P strain) was used and a ratio of the number of bacteria to PMNs was determined at 8.
The phagocytic activity in the diabetics was not significantly different from that in the controls.
On the other hand, the bactericidal activity in the diabetics was significantly lower than that in the controls. Especially in the poorly-controlled diabetics with high fasting blood glucose (>130mg/dl) or high hemoglobin A1 value (>8%), the bactericidal activity was significantly lower than that in the wellcontrolled group. In the diabetics on insulin or oral hypoglycemic agent, the bactericidal activity was significantly lower than that in the diabetics on diet therapy alone. In the diabetics with retinopathy ornephropathy, the bactericidal activity was relatively lower, although not significantly, than that in the diabetics uncompromised with those complication. Likewise, the activity in the diabetics with a long duration was relatively lower than that in those with a short duration.
The bactericidal activity after treatment in the diabetics was significantly higher than that before treatment.
These results seem to favor the impaired bactericidal activity as one of the factors accounting for the increased susceptibility to infection in diabetics.
