title: Methods for quantifying phagocytosis and bacterial killing by human neutrophils.
abstract: This paper reviews a variety of methods available for quantifying phagocytosis and bacterial killing by neutrophils. We outline the advantages and disadvantages of each technique, with the selection of a technique for research or analytical purposes being dependent on the information required and the resources available. A detailed protocol is provided for a comprehensive microbiological technique that measures both phagocytosis and killing in a single assay, along with a kinetic analysis for measuring and calculating separate rate constants for the two events. The kinetic analysis can be easily adapted to other methods to give the same quantitative information.
authors.affiliation: Free Radical Research Group, Department of Pathology, Christchurch School of Medicine, P.O. Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand. mark.hampton@ chmeds.ac.nz
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Hampton
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Winterbourn
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D001770:Blood Bactericidal Activity; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000276:immunology*