Mitochondria sense bacterial lactate and drive release of neutrophil extracellular traps.

Neutrophils induce oxidative stress, creating a harsh phagosomal environment. However, Staphylococcus aureus can survive these conditions, requiring neutrophils to deploy mechanisms that sense bacterial persistence. We find that staphylococcal lactate is a metabolic danger signal that triggers neutrophil extracellular trap release (NETosis).