Charles Tracy Author Answered Jun 2, 2021
UT Southwestern Medical Center Dallas
After an initial pulse to allow bacteria to bind and chase of the desired time, cells are fixed and cellular actin stained with phalloidin, which allows for visualization of the cell membranes by confocal microscopy. To be counted as intracellular, a bacterium must be fully engulfed within the phalloidin-stained membrane. Commonly, DIC images are also taken while imaging to further assist in this determination.