Methods for quantifying phagocytosis and bacterial killing by human neutrophils

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.