Marginal zone phagocytes, including neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages (MΦ), and dendritic cells (DC) engulf blood-borne Lm. Ly6G+ neutrophils and Ly6G- macrophages kill phagocytosed Lm to control bacterial growth. Deposition of complement component C3b on Lm promotes bacterial binding to and aggregation of CD41+ platelets. These aggregates are phagocytosed by CD8α+CD11c+ DCs, shielding Lm from other more microbicidal phagocytes. Migration of DCs to the PALS permits increased bacterial replication during systemic infection.