Distribution of human neutrophil elastase in diffuse alveolar damage and pneumonia in a case of neonatal sepsis

摘要

Sepsis in newborn babies is dangerous because of their immature immune systems. Human neutrophil polymorphonuclear leucocytes provide host defence against bacterial and fungal infection, but they also cause tissue destruction which is mediated by certain proteolytic enzymes secreted from their own granule fractions. In addition, evidence indicates that neutro-phils play a contributory and perhaps primary role in many cases of diffuse alveolar damage (DAD). We performed an autopsy on a newborn baby who showed pneumonia and DAD in the same lung section. Distinct differences were shown in the neutrophil distribution patterns.