LIMITING FACTORS IN BACTERIAL PHAGOCYTOSIS BY HUMAN POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTES

Abstract
Limiting factors in neutrophil phagocytosis were studied using a sensitive assay by which attachment, ingestion and intracellular killing of bacteria [Escherichia coli, .beta.-hemolytic streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis] could be separated. Phagocytosis was limited by the attachment capacity of neutrophils. Ingestion and intracellular killing proceeded at a constant rate proportional to the number of bacteria attached to the neutrophils.