Neutrophil function in rheumatoid arthritis.

In order to determine the endocytic ability and metabolic capacity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, 45 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were compared with a series of control subjects. Two in vitro tests were performed in each patient: the phagocytic index (Brandt's technique) and the nitro-blue tetrazolium reduction test (Braehner & Nathan's technique). These two tests show a significant decrease in comparison with controls, the NBT reduction being modified only in stimulated leukocytes. This finding, in contrast to previously reported studies based on different techniques, underlines the existence of a functional modification of blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils in rheumatoid arthritis.