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BackgroundInhaled corticosteroid use is associated with increased rates of pneumonia in COPD patients. The underlying mechanism is unknown, although recent data suggest that pneumonia is more frequent in patients treated with fluticasone propionate (FP) than budesonide. Macrophages and neutrophils from COPD patients are deficient in clearing bacteria, and this might explain increased bacterial colonization in COPD. Inhaled corticosteroid may further suppress this response; therefore, we examined the effect of FP and budesonide on phagocytosis of common respiratory pathogens by monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) and neutrophils.MethodsMDMs from COPD patients (n=20–24) were preincubated with FP or budesonide for 1 or 18 hours, after which phagocytosis of fluorescently labeled inert beads or heat-killed Haemophilus influenzae/Streptococcus pneumoniae were measured fluorimetrically after 1 or 4 hours. Additionally, CXCL8, IL6, and TNFα concentrations in supernatants by ELISA, MDM-scavenger-receptor expression by flow cytometry, and MDM ability to kill bacteria were measured. Neutrophils from COPD patients (n=8) were preincubated with corticosteroids for 1 hour and bacteria phagocytosis measured by flow cytometry.ResultsAfter 1 hour’s preincubation, neither corticosteroid altered MDM phagocytosis of beads or H. influenzae; however, budesonide (10−7 M) increased S. pneumoniae phagocytosis by 23% (P<0.05). After 18 hours’ preincubation, neither corticosteroid altered MDM phagocytosis of any prey, although H. influenzae phagocytosis by budesonide was significantly greater compared to FP at 10−6 and 10−5 M (P<0.05). The 1-hour preincubation with either corticosteroid inhibited bacteria-induced CXCL8 release (at 10−7 and 10−5 M, P<0.05); however, this effect was lost at 18-hour preincubation. There was no change in receptor expression, bacterial killing, or neutrophil phagocytosis by either corticosteroid.ConclusionThese data suggest that dissolved FP and budesonide do not have an overall effect on MDM or neutrophil phagocytosis of bacteria.