Neutrophil chemotaxis and periodontal status in Down's syndrome patients.

Abstract

Along with clinical parameters, chemotaxis and random migration of neutrophils were evaluated in 15 patients with Down's syndrome (DS) and 15 healthy subjects. Signs of more severe gingival inflammation were present in the DS group. The random migration and chemotaxis of neutrophils were significantly decreased in comparison with the control group. In DS, the pathological status was attributed to these impaired host defense factors besides the existing bacterial plaque.