Decreased phagocytic function in neutrophils and monocytes from peripheral blood in periodontal disease

Phagocytosis by neutrophils and monocytes constitutes the main defense mechanismagainst bacterial challenges in periodontitis. Phagocytosis by neutrophils hasalready been evaluated, whereas phagocytic function of monocytes has hardly beenaddressed so far.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess phagocytosis by neutrophils and monocytes inperiodontitis.

Material and Methods

The sample included 30 subjects with severe periodontitis and 27 control subjectswithout periodontal disease. The phagocytic index (PhI) was calculated as the meannumber of adhered/ingested Saccharomyces cerevisiae perphagocytozing monocyte or neutrophil multiplied by the percentage of phagocytesinvolved in phagocytosis.

Results

A significant reduction in phagocyte functions was observed in individuals withperiodontitis. The median of PhI of neutrophils using non-sensitized S.cerevisiae was 3 for the control group, and 1.5 for the periodontitisgroup (p=0.01, Mann-Whitney test). The median of PhI of monocytes withnon-sensitized S. cerevisiae was 26.13 for the control group, and13.23 for the periodontitis group (p=0.03, Mann Whitney test). The median of PhIof monocytes assessed with sensitized S. cerevisiae was 97.92 forthe control group and 60.1 for the periodontitis group (p=0.005, t-test).

Conclusion

The data demonstrated a reduction in the function of phagocytes, suggesting adecrease in immune defenses in periodontitis.