The Population and Activity of Airway Macrophages in Patients Requiring Continuous Mechanical Ventilation

Macrophages are present in the trachea and bronchial airways of patients receiving continuous mechanical ventilation yet their functional relationship with other cell types and role as phagocytes is not well defined. In this study a technique utilizing a high speed blender was developed to allow separation of the adherent cell population from highly mucoid specimens. Many adherent cells failed to demonstrate phagocytosis. Those that did demonstrated above normal phagocytic ability when challenged with Aspergillus fumigatus conidia. The cellular content of the specimens demonstrated a predominance of polymorphonuclear neutrophils and a prevalence of various bacteria. These observations may indicate preactivated macrophages in an inflammatory environment perpetuated by the constant presence of bacteria and the mechanical insult of frequent trachael suctioning.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Biology

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year

1988

Author dc:creator

• Dieckhoff, Thomas

Contributors dc:contributor

• Richard Myers

• Biology

Statement dc:rights

• © Thomas Dieckhoff

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/144

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-1145