[Periodontitis associated with systemic diseases with qualitative deficiency of phagocyte function. I. Diabetes mellitus].

Diabetes mellitus is accompanied constantly by functional changes in polymorphonucleated neutrophils and particularly in their chemotactic properties. Their function of impeding the invasion of the organism on the part of aggressive external factors cannot therefore be implemented. These patients are, therefore abnormally susceptible to infection and, with high frequency, also present serious periodontal disease.