A scanning electron microscope image of a single neutrophil granulocyte (large yellow cell), engulfing anthrax bacteria (orange rod-shaped structures). Scale bar is 5 micrometers.
Generally referred to as neutrophils, they are the most abundant type of white blood cells in humans and form an integral part of the immune system. These phagocytes are normally found in the blood stream. However, during the acute phase of inflammation, particularly as a result of bacterial infection, neutrophils leave the vasculature and migrate toward the site of inflammation in a process called chemotaxis.Image credit: Volker Brinkmann, PLoS