... The liver can remove opsonized (antibody-coated) pneumococci from the circulation; in the absence of antibody, however, only the slow passage of blood Chapter 128. Pneumococcal Infections (Part ... PMNs and macrophages. Most patients hospitalized for pneumococcal pneumonia have one or more of these conditions (Table 128- 1). Once a pneumococcal infection has been initiated, the absence of ... Nonimmunologic Mechanisms Nonimmunologic mechanisms that protect against pneumonia include filtration of air as it passes through the nasopharynx, the glottal reflex, laryngeal closure, the cough reflex,...