Studies on the phagocytic function of urinary leukocytes.

Urine specimens from patients with urinary tract infection (UTI) were examined to determine the rate of phagocytosis and viability of urinary leukocytes. The phagocytic function of urinary leukocytes was also studied in vitro. The mean rate of viable urinary leukocytes was 83 per cent and the phagocytic potency was confirmed by light and electron microscopic studies. In 99 per cent of 113 patients with UTI, urinary leukocytes were shown to have phagocytized bacteria. The rate of phagocytosis in chronic UTI was higher than that in acute UTI. Urinary osmotic pressure and the positive or negative of antibody coated bacteria were supposed to be factors influencing phagocytic potency of urinary leukocytes.