Phagocytosis of bacteria by olfactory ensheathing cells and Schwann cells

► Mouse olfactory ensheathing cells and Schwann cells phagocytose E. coli. ► Human OECs phagocytose E. coli. ► Peripheral glia show little capacity to phagocytose Burkholderia thailandensis. ► The results have implications for using glial cells in neural repair therapies.