Phagocytosis and cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The objective of this study was to determine if the phagocytic and intracellular killing capacity of peripheral granulocytes or an expression of cellular-mediated immunity, delayed cutaneous reactivity, as measurements of native and acquired immunity, might be risk factors associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Over 100 patients with a value for their forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) less than or equal to 70 percent of normal were carefully matched with healthy participants having an FEV1 greater than or equal to 86 percent of normal, and together they served as the study group. Phagocytosis and intracellular killing were normal in patients with COPD; however, these patients demonstrated a significant impairment in the ability of their peripheral leukocytes to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium. The delayed-hypertensitivity response rate and the degree of reactivity were similar in the two groups, except for the patients with COPD having a significantly greater degree of reactivity to Monilia albicans extract ("canadin.") This finding is thought to be a consequence of reduced mucociliary clearance rather than a risk factor. The significance of decreased resting and stimulated cells' reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium in patients with COPD is not clear.