Zinc-dependent chemotactic defect in an infant with acrodermatitis.

Abstract

A 5 mo. old infant developed acrodermatitis enteropathica when weaned from breast milk to cows'' milk. Plasma Zn concentration was low. T- and B-lymphocyte functions were normal, but there was a severe defect of neutrophil chemotaxis. Oral treatment with ZnSO4 (40 mg daily) induced an immediate clinical improvement, with restoration of normal plasma Zn level and complete correction of neutrophil chemotaxis.