Defective monocyte chemotaxis in mycosis fungoides.

Monocyte-macrophage function was studied in 14 patients with histologically confirmed mycosis fungoides. Three component parts of the monocyte-macrophage system were examined. Monocyte bacterial phagocytosis and bacterial killing were normal. However, a defect in directional mobility (chemotaxis) was found in patients with mycosis fungiodes (P less than .0025) when compared to 35 healthy controls. Defective chemotaxis was present regardless of disease stage or therapy. This defect in monocyte chemotaxis represents a previously unrecognized immune deficiency and may help explain the frequent infections found in patients with mycosis fungoides.