ISOLATION OF EQUINE NEUTROPHILS AND ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL-CHARACTERISTICS BY CHEMI-LUMINESCENCE AND BACTERICIDAL ASSAYS

Abstract

Equine neutrophils (PMN) were isolated to greater than 99% purity by isopyknic sedimentation on coated colloidal silica particles. A cell recovery of 84.7 .+-. 4.0%, with a viability of greater than 99%, was observed with this method. The isolated PMN were compared with mixed populations of equine peripheral leukocytes with respect to functional integrity by chemiluminescence and bactericidal assays. There was no significant difference (P < 0.01) observed in either assay between the isolated equine PMN and the mixed cell populations. The methods used in both the isolation and the functional characterization of the equine PMN were rapid and highly reproducible and should readily find use in clinical and research laboratories. It is now feasible to rapidly assess equine PMN integrity in those cases which warrant this type of study. This is the 1st direct comparison of the chemiluminescence assay with the microbicidal assay, using equine PMN.