Neutrophils

Neutrophil depletion from high blood sugar is one of the clearest links between hyperglycemia and increased infection severity. Hyperglycemia causes neutrophil counts to decrease significantly, including in pre-diabetics. Neutrophils make up approximately 70% of white blood cells and are the dominant cellular immune defense by volume. Neutrophils physically engulf and destroy pathogens as phagocytes. Neutrophils produce a bleach-like compound (hypochlorous acid) as part of their antimicrobial killing strategy. Without sufficient neutrophil numbers, the immune system lacks its primary weapons for combating infection. Neutrophils cause collateral tissue damage because their chemical weapons are indiscriminate at close range.