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Mechanisms of Abnormal Neutrophil Function in the Human Neonate: Prospects for Therapy

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Immunology of the Neonate

Abstract

Human neonates have an increased incidence of infections when compared with older children and adults (Hill 1985; Santos and Hill 1982; Klein and Marcy 1983). The infections suffered by term and especially premature infants are usually due to bacterial and fungal agents that may not be particularly virulent in older individuals unless they are immunocompromised. These include pathogens such as group B streptococci, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans (Santos and Hill 1982; Klein and Marcy 1983). Furthermore, newborns often develop infections in peripheral sites, such as on the skin, in subcutaneous tissues, or in the lungs. Phagocytic cells, including polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages, are critical to the defense of these areas. Miles et al. (1957) have shown, in experimental animals, that phagocytic cells must arrive at a site of microbial invasion, ingest the pathogen, and kill it within a critical 2-4 h period. If this does not occur, the animal will eventually develop a larger local or systemic infection.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Pathology and Pediatrics, University of Utah College of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA

    Harry R. Hill

  2. The Departments of Pediatrics and Chemotherapy, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy

    Fulvio Sacchi

Authors
  1. Harry R. Hill
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  2. Fulvio Sacchi
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Clinica Pediatrics, Universitá di Pavia, I-27100, Pavia, Italy

    G. Roberto Burgio

  2. Institute of Clinical Microbiology, University of Götebôrg, Guldhedsgatan 10, S-413 46, Göteborg, Sweden

    Lars Åke Hanson

  3. Clinica Pediatrica Ospedale dei Bambini, University of Brescia, Via del Medolo 2, I-25100, Brescia, Italy

    Alberto G. Ugazio

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© 1987 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Hill, H.R., Sacchi, F. (1987). Mechanisms of Abnormal Neutrophil Function in the Human Neonate: Prospects for Therapy. In: Burgio, G.R., Hanson, L.Å., Ugazio, A.G. (eds) Immunology of the Neonate. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-71094-0_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-71094-0_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-71096-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-71094-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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