Analytic Review: Disorders of Phagocyte Function

The physiologic aspects of neutrophil and monocyte function as related to bactericidal capacity have been reviewed. Recent studies have demonstrated clinical syndromes involving defects in chemotaxis, opsonization, and a spectrum of intracellular neutrophil and monocyte defects. The present concepts of the pathophysiology of these syndromes have been considered. The elucidation of the basic defects awaits the development of new approaches to the study of phagocyte function.