A method has been described for the study in vitro of leucocyte-bacteria interactions which permits the simultaneous evaluation of both phagocytosis and intracellular bacterial inactivation. Employing this technique, the fate and localization of staphylococci in homogeneous suspensions of rabbit polymorphonuclear leucocytes have been studied.
Coagulase-positive strains of S. aureus were not efficiently ingested in the presence of normal rabbit serum. In contrast, coagulase-negative strains of S. albus were rapidly engulfed and inactivated.
Immune sera prepared against a coagulase-positive strain enhanced the the ingestion of the homologous organism as well as of three heterologous strains of S. aureus. Following phagocytosis, prompt intracellular killing of S. aureus occurred. The thermostable opsonins in immune sera reacted only with strains of S. aureus.
A comparison between polymorphonuclear leucocytes obtained from normal and immune animals revealed no differences in their ability either to ingest or kill coagulase-positive staphylococci.
Studies with other bacterial species are presented to illustrate: (a) phagocytosis followed by intracellular inactivation; (b) phagocytosis followed by intracellular survival; and (c) the absence of phagocytosis.
