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.