Small increases in pH decrease uptake of Escherichia coli by human neutrophils in vitro.

Increases in pH from 7.4 to 7.8 decreased the ability of human neutrophils in serum to ingest and kill Escherichia coli ATCC 29552 in vitro. In contrast, similar increases in pH did not decrease the bactericidal activity of neutrophils in serum against Staphylococcus aureus 502A. Increases in pH did not alter opsonization of E. coli by serum or the growth of E. coli but rather appeared to alter neutrophil uptake of bacteria by a direct effect on the neutrophil.