[Phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes of pregnant women].

Cellular and humoral immunity are depressed during pregnancy, for this reason the non-specific immunity mediated by polymorphonuclear leukocytes plays an important role in the defense against bacterial infections. The objective of this study was evaluate the phagocytosis, phagocytic index (particles ingested average by cell) and nitroblue tetrazolium reduction (NBTr) in three trimesters of pregnancy. The phagocytosis and rNBT assays were carried out by means of adherence on surface of the glass. The resulted showed that phagocytosis, phagocytic index and NBTr were normal in two first trimesters of pregnancy compared with nonpregnant women group. However, phagocytosis and phagocytic index were significantly decrease (p < 0.05) in the third trimester pregnancy. This phagocytosis deficiency possibly explains the increase of respiratory infections, diarrhea disease and bacteriuria. Several factors could be responsible of this non-specific immunity depressed during pregnancy. Further studies are necessary to define the biological significance of this immunosuppression.