BACKGROUND: Data on the oxidative metabolism of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) after solid organ transplantation are very limited. We hypothesized that immunosuppressive agents reduce the capacity of PMN to produce reactive oxygen species, such as O2(-), H2O2, OH, and OCL(-) leading to an increased susceptibility to infectious complications after liver transplantation. METHODS: A lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) assay was used with soluble and particulate stimuli to study the oxidative metabolism of PMN in pediatric liver graft recipients. Sixteen patients (median age: 2.4 yr) were enrolled in a prospective study and integrated CL response was compared with the CL activity of 29 healthy controls. RESULTS: In the second week post-transplant, we found a significantly reduced CL activity. Pre-operatively, and after lowering steroids and cyclosporin A (CsA) the oxidative burst was normal. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that CsA and steroids may not only influence T and B cells but also PMN, which may be a relevant factor for the incidence of infectious complications in pediatric liver graft recipients.
