Egestion of degraded meningococci by polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Quantitative studies were carried out on the in vitro phagocytosis of 14C-labeled Neisseria meningitidis by mouse polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Intact, "loaded" leukocytes were found to excrete radioactive bacterial products back into supernatant fluids. Morphological events associated with the exocytosis events revealed a fusion between the phagocytic vacuole and plasma membranes of the leukocyte followed by an emptying of the vacuole contents. Egested materials were free from whole meningococci and consisted mainly of membranous vesicles.