Human Leucocytes and Infection

Abstract

When infection has occurred almost every type of leucocyte has a function which can contribute to the patient's recovery. Cooperation between different leucocytes takes place, and these cellular activities persist until all microorganisms have been controlled. A deficiency of one particular leucocyte function can often be compensated for by extra activity of another. In the presence of severe infection many leucocyte functions in vitro, have been shown to be altered, often in a direction which might indicate immunodeficiency. These findings are probably secondary phenomena caused by a relative excess of antigen or of particulate debris. Various drugs can also reduce leucocyte function. All these points need consideration during the investigation of children or adults who have chronic refractory infections.

Diet‐induced obese mice exhibit altered immune responses to acute lung injury induced by Escherichia coli

“…Infection can stimulate almost all types of leukocytes, which cooperate to control and eradiate pathogens. In the setting of severe infection, the majority of leukocytes exhibit functional alterations, which may contribute to the secondary effects exerted by a relative excess of antigen or particulate debris .These factors may explain why the DIO mice exhibited greater mortality following E. coli infection than their counterparts, as well as why similar findings have been noted in studies involving other obese animals treated with influenza virus and other bacteria . The data in this study indicated that DIO may exert contrasting effects on host recovery from acute lung injury.…”