Aberrant neutrophil function among heavy smokers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Backgroud: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammation disease of the respiratory tract. The aberrant functions of neutrophils has been reported in COPD patients including respiratory burst and phagocytosis. Unfortunately, there is little evidence of neutrophil functions in healthy smokers who are considered a high risk group for COPD.