Recurrent bacterial infections in four siblings with neutropenia, eosinophilia, hyperimmunoglobulinemia A, and defective neutrophil chemotaxis

Abstract

Four siblings with recurrent bacterial infections, neutrophil chemotactic defect, neutropenia, and eosinophilia were studied. During periods of infection the peripheral neutrophil count increased to normal, while the eosinophilia disappeared. In addition, these children had high levels of serum IgA and poor antibody responses to tetanus and polio vaccinations. A defect in cell-mediated immunity was demonstrated by an absent or weak reactivity to various skin test antigens and by abnormal lymph node histology. Thus these siblings had an unusual combination of defective inflammatory response and immunologic abnormalities.