Candidacidal assay was used to assess the phagocytic and killing activities of polymorphonuclear leukocytes from paediatric patients diagnosed to manifest with characteristics of atopic dermatitis. From this group of patients evaluated, all the 11 cases exhibited lower candidacidal activity in comparison to the normal children. However, there were no abnormalities observed in the engulfing abilities and myeloperoxidase activities of these leukocytes. The result indicated that lower killing capacity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in these patients may contribute to the frequent bacterial infections in atopic dermatitis children.