Disorders of Leukocyte Function

Defense against infectious agents is secured through a combination of anatomic physical barriers including the skin, mucus membranes, mucus blanket and ciliated epithelial cells, as well as the various componants of the immune system.Neutrophils protect the host against pyogenic infections. Disorders of neutrophil function can be classified into:A) Degranulation abnormalities as Chediak-Higashi syndrome and specific granule deficiencyB) Adhesion abnormalities as leukocyte adhesion deficiency type 1,2,3C) Defects of microbicidal activity as chronic granulomatous disease, G6PD deficiency, myeloperoxidase deficiency and deficiencies of glutathione reductase and sythetaseD) Other disorders involving phagocytic cells as glycogen storage disease, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, Leiner disease and acquired (secondary) disorders of neutrophil function.