Phagocytic activity of macrophages in patiens with acute respiratory viral infections associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The aim of the work is to study and analyze the state of phagocytic activity of monocytes in patients with acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Materials and Methods. We examined 43 patients aged 23-59 with ARVI associated with COPD. The phagocytic activity of macrophages (PAM) was studied by an original cup method. We conducted the following PAM indices: phagocytic number (PN), phagocytic index (PI), attraction index (AI), digestion index (DI). Macrophage Migration Inhibition Test (MMIT) of the dermis was conducted using Rebuck skin window (SW) technique with additional intradermal injection of 0.01 % sterile phytohemagglutinin (PHA) into the SW zone. Results. In patients with ARVI associated with COPD significant changes in PAM, especially in PN and DI were observed. These changes indicate both a significant decrease of phagocytic activity of monocytes/macrophages and unfinished phagocytic reaction. In general, these changes indicate depression of functional activity of mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). Upon standard treatment the positive dynamics in analyzed indicators was observed. Conclusion. Standard treatment contributes to normalization of PAM indices in patients. However, such treatment does not increase the reduced rates of MPS activity, and leads to a stable remission of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.