DEFECTIVE CHEMOTAXIS IN UREMIA

Abstract

Of uremic patients, 37% demonstrated the presence of CFI [chemotactic factor inhibitor] in their sera. The serum factor acts directly on leukotactic factors C5f [chemotactic fragment of complement component 5], C3f and BF [bacterial factor] to render them irreversibly inactive. Inhibitory activity was found in 5 of 16 patients: 37-61% for C5f, 25-36% for C3f and 28-51% for BF. There is no correlation of this inhibitory activity with BUN [blood urea nitrogen] or creatinine levels. The presence of this chemotactic inhibitor may be responsible for the increased incidence of infection in uremia.