A modified assay of neutrophil function: use of lysostaphin to differentiate defective phagocytosis from impaired intracellular killing.

Abstract

Abstract A modified assay of neutrophil function, which utilizes lysostaphin, is described. Lysostaphin is a rapid-acting muralytic enzyme specific for S. aureus . Lysostaphin does not penetrate the neutrophils and can be rapidly inactivated. Exposure of the neutrophil bacteria suspension to lysostaphin results in the elimination of a high number of extracellular bacteria in minutes. This technique differentiates defective phagocytosis from impaired intracellular killing more efficiently than other known assay methods.