Journal article

Phagocytosis of neonatal pathogens by peripheral blood neutrophils and monocytes from newborn preterm and term infants

A Prosser, J Hibbert, T Strunk, CH Kok, K Simmer, P Richmond, D Burgner, A Currie

Pediatric Research | Published : 2013

Abstract

Background:Deficiencies in phagocytosis may contribute to the increased susceptibility of infants to early life infections. Data on phagocytosis of the major neonatal pathogens Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE), Staphylococcus aureus (SA), and Escherichia coli (EC) by preterm infant leukocytes are inconsistent.Methods:Cord and <24-h peripheral blood were collected from very preterm (<30.1 wks gestational age (GA)) and term (37-42 wks GA) infants. Monocyte and neutrophil phagocytosis of pHrodo-labeled SE, SA, and EC were analyzed using a small-volume flow cytometry assay, with simultaneous characterization of surface activation marker expression.Results:Preterm infants had lower proportions of ..

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University of Melbourne Researchers