Summary
A conventional in vitro test assay was used to determine maximal bactericidal capabilities of human granulocytes. By means of a mathematical model the maximal phagocytosis and killing activity could be calculated for S. aureus and P. aeruginosa serving as test organisms. The evaluation allowed moreover the determination of the optimal bacterial load and also of critical bacterial concentrations leading to a complete depression of observable granulocyte killing functions. In contrast to other studies frozen suspensions of bacteria were used allowing the employment of identical microorganisms within a complete series of experiments. On average one granulocyte was found to ingest a maximum of 17 CFU of S. aureus with 9 CFU killed under optimal ratios of bacteria per granulocyte. For P. aeruginosa the granulocyte function reached peak values of 96 CFU ingested and 62 CFU killed per one granulocyte. The new assay might provide a highly reproducible method for clinical assessment of granulocyte dysfunctions in various diseases.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cohn ZA, Morse SI (1959) Interactions between rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes and staphylococci. J Exp Med 110: 419–443
Alexander JW, Windhorst DB, Good RA (1968) Improved tests for the evaluation of neurtrophil function in human disease. J Lab Clin Med 72: 136–148
Van Furth R, Van Zwet TU (1973) In vitro determination of phagocytosis and intracellular killing by polymorphonuclear and mononuclear phagocytes. In: Handbook of experimental immunbiology. vol II, Oxford, pp 36.1–36.24
Young LS, Armstrong D (1972) Human immunity to pseudomonas aeruginosa. I. In vitro interaction of bacteria, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and serum factors. J Infect Dis 126: 257–276
Palmblad J (1975) Methodological studies of granulocyte bactericidal function. Acta Soc Med Suec 84: 116–124
Repine JE, Clawson CC (1977) Quantitative measurement of the bactericidal capability of neutrophils from patients and carriers of chronic granulomatous disease. J Lab Clin Med 90:522–528
Repine JE, Clawson CC, Goetz FC (1980) Bactericidal function of neutrophils from patients with acute bacterial infections and from diabetis. J Infect Dis 142: 869–875
Clawson CC, Repine JE, White JG (1979) The Chediak-Higashi syndrom. Quantitation of a deficiency in maximal bactericidal capacity. Am J Pathol 94: 539–547
Palmblad J (1979) Activation of the bactericidal capacity in polymorphonuclear granulocytes after surgery measured with an new in vitro assay. Scand J Haematol 23: 10–16
Hülsheger H, Sheng H, Stangel W, Seidel J (1983) Determination of maximal phagocytosis and killing parameters of granulocytes with S. aureus and P. aeruginosa (abstr.). Blut 47: 165
Hammer MC, Baltch AL, Sutphen NT, Conroy JV (1981) Pseudomonas aeruginosa: quantitation of maximum phagocytotic and bactericidal capabilities of human granulocytes. J Lab Clin Med 98: 938–948
Clawson CC, Repine JE (1976) Quantitation of maximal bactericidal capability of human neutrophils. J Lab Clin Med 88: 316–327
Palmblad J, Engstedt L (1979) Activation of the bactericidal capacity of blood granulocytes. Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand [C] 87: 357–364
Leijh PCJ, Van den Barselaar MT, Van Zwet T, Dubbeldeman-Rempt I, Van Furth R (1979) Kinetics of phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by human granulocytes. Immunology 37: 453–465
Verbrugh HA, Peters R, Perterson PK, Verhoef J (1978) Phagocytosis and killing of Staphylococci by human polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leukocytes. J Clin Pathol 31: 539–545
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hülsheger, H., Stangel, W., Schmidt, J. et al. Determination of maximal bactericidal activity in human granulocytes. Blut 50, 169–178 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00320073
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00320073