What are the Defects in Phagocytosis?

Phagocytes (polymorpho nuclear cells, macrophages, monocytes) constitute an important part of the immune system.

Since the function of phagocytes is phagocytosis, chemotaxis, extravasations, killing of pathogens etc., defects in any of these functions lead to immunodeficiency. The factors responsible for phagocyte disorders may be extrinsic or intrinsic.

Susceptibility to infections owing to phagocyte dysfunction ranges from mild recurrent skin infections to overwhelming fatal systemic infections.

Affected patients are more susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections, but have a normal resistance to viral infections.

Extrinsic defects include phonic abnormalities secondary to deficiencies of antibody and complement factors. Intrinsic disorders of phagocytes may be defects in granulocyte killing ability and chemo taxis (cell movement).