Zinc-dependent chemotactic defect in an infant with acrodermatitis

A 5-month-old infant developed acrodermatitis enteropathica when weaned from breast milk to cows' milk. Plasma zinc concentration was low. T- and B-lymphocyte functions were normal, but there was a severe defect of neutrophil chemotaxis. Oral treatment with zinc sulphate (40 mg daily) induced an immediate clinical improvement, with restoration of normal plasma zinc level and complete correction of neutrophil chemotaxis.