Analysis of neutrophil bactericidal activity

Methods Mol Biol. 2014:1124:291-306. doi: 10.1007/978-1-62703-845-4_19.

Abstract

This chapter describes two methods for measuring the bactericidal activity of neutrophils. These are a new simple fluorescence-based assay, which quantifies bactericidal activity by measuring changes in bacterial fluorescence associated with a loss of membrane potential over time, and a more traditional colony counting protocol. Two variations of these techniques are presented: a "one-step" protocol providing a composite measure of phagocytosis and killing, and a "two-step" protocol that allows calculation of separate rate constants for both of these processes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / immunology*
  • Colony-Forming Units Assay
  • Fluorometry / methods
  • Humans
  • Neutrophils / immunology*
  • Phagocytosis / immunology*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / immunology