Phagocytic dysfunction as a cause of recurrent upper respiratory disease

A case history is given of a young girl patient with recurrent upper respiratory disease. This child appears to have a defect in chemotaxis and in phagocytic ingestion. A possible explanation for the defect is discussed. It is considered that there may be a defect in the surface of the neutrophile inasmuch as it appears to be more hydrophobic than the normal neutrophile. It is also possible that there is a defect in, or lack of, a serum opsonin inasmuch as the patient's plasma consistently does not enhance phagocytosis and, in most cases, actually depresses the particle ingestion of normal neutrophiles. It is suggested that, in certain children with recurrent upper respiratory infection who do not appear to be allergic and in whom tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy do not appear to be indicated, a thorough search of the immune mechanism must be undertaken. It is possible in some cases, that a phagocytic defect may be responsible for recurrent upper respiratory disease.