intracellular killing assay


intracellular killing assay

A laboratory test of bacterial ingestion by phagocytes. Neutrophils or macrophages are placed in a culture with bacteria. After 30 min, the remaining bacteria are killed with an antibiotic, and the phagocytes are stained and examined for the number of bacteria they have ingested. This assay is only accurate if the phagocytes have been tested previously for the ability to ingest bacteria. Synonym: neutrophil microbicidal assaySee also: assay