Bacterial infections during immunosuppression--inmmunosuppressive agents interfere not only with immune response, but also with polymorphonuclear cell function

It is obvious that immunosuppressive agents interfere with the immune response to infections [1]. It has not been widely appreciated, however, that immunosuppressive drugs also interfere with the function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs). A body of recent data indicates that immunosuppressive agents influence several PMNL functions. This article summarizes the effects of immunosuppressive drugs on PMNLs and discusses their clinical implications.