The Population and Activity of Airway Macrophages in Patients Requiring Continuous Mechanical Ventilation
Date of Graduation
Fall 1988
Degree
Master of Science in Biology
Department
Biology
Committee Chair
Richard Myers
Abstract
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.
Subject Categories
Biology
Copyright
© Thomas Dieckhoff
Recommended Citation
Dieckhoff, Thomas, "The Population and Activity of Airway Macrophages in Patients Requiring Continuous Mechanical Ventilation" (1988). MSU Graduate Theses/Dissertations. 144.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/144
Dissertation/Thesis
