In vitro assay for phagocytic activity by canine neutrophils for Escherichia coli

This study investigates the in vitro phagocytic activity of blood neutrophils of dogs in Sri Lanka for Escherichia coli. The study sample comprised of 70% mongrel and 30% cross bred dogs of both sexes. The leukocyte isolation method described yielded up to 12,930/ìl viable leukocytes of which 61-90% was neutrophils, with viability ranging from 90-99% (mean 96%). The mean percent phagocytosis (MPP) of canine blood neutrophils was significantly higher at 30 minutes incubation (89%) than at 15 minutes incubation (70 %) with E.coli. The findings support the fact that innate immunity can be measured qualitatively and quantitatively by the technique described which will be useful for the identification of immunocompromised dogs.