Gingival crevice neutrophil function in periodontosis.

This study examined gingival crevicular polymorphonuclear leucocyte function in periodontosis patients. Cells were examined for viability, function and ultrastructure. Eighty percent or more of the cells in each sample were viable as assessed by the fluorescein diacetate technique, but the test organism, Candida guillermondiae, was not phagocytosed. Gingival crevicular fluid contained many lysing neutrophils and nonphagocytosed organisms. Recognizable polymorphs contained Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms. On the basis of this and previous studies it is concluded that gingival crevice neutrophils from periodontosis sites show reduced phagocytic function compared with cells from normal or periodontitis-affected gingival crevices. It is possible that the behavior of neutrophils from gingival crevices may be irrelevant. Original changes by that stage may have obscured their capabilities.