The effect of methylmethacrylate on bacterial phagocytosis and killing by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

The phagocytic and bactericidal activities of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the presence of methylmethacrylate were determined by in vitro techniques. It was found that methylmethacrylate in concentrations as low as 0.156 per cent significantly decreased the ability of leukocytes to phagocytose and kill strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. The evidence indicates that methylmethacrylate impairs the killing more than the phagocytosis by the leukocytes.