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Chemotactic Activity for Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes: Meconium Versus Meconium‐Stained Amniotic Fluid

PROBLEM: Our previous study indicated that meconium‐stained amniotic fluid (turbid AF) possessed a potent chemotactic activity for leukocytes, which may be dependent on interleukin‐8. It is not known, however, whether meconium itself possesses this chemotactic activity.  METHOD OF STUDY: Meconium samples were collected from mature neonates with and without turbid AF. A 5% meconium suspension in phosphate buffered saline was prepared and measured for its chemotactic activity for leukocytes using the blind well chamber technique. Concentrations of IL‐8, TNFα and IL‐1β were also measured with ELISA.  RESULTS: The number of leukocytes that migrated to the meconium suspension (35±27) was comparable with that of the clear AF (31±37), but was significantly lower than that of the turbid AF (184±62, P<0.0001). The meconium suspension contained much lower levels of IL‐8, TNFα and IL‐1β than the turbid AF.  CONCLUSIONS: Meconium itself exhibits a lower chemotactic activity for polymorphonuclear leukocytes than turbid AF in vitro. The leukocyte chemotactic activity of turbid AF does not originate from meconium itself.