The effect of antibiotics on cell-mediated immunity

Normal human lymphocytes in culture were stimulated by the addition of phytohemagglutinin, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis was measured by the incorporation of tritiated thymidine. The effect of 11 commonly used antibiotics on DNA synthesis then was measured by adding each antibiotic to th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSurgery Vol. 81; no. 6; p. 692
Main Authors Munster, A M, Loadholdt, C B, Leary, A G, Barnes, M A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.06.1977
Subjects
Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology
Ascorbic Acid - pharmacology
Chloramphenicol - pharmacology
Clindamycin - pharmacology
Clinical Trials as Topic
Depression, Chemical
DNA - biosynthesis
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Humans
Immunity, Cellular - drug effects
Lectins
Lymphocyte Activation - drug effects
Lymphocytes - metabolism
Minocycline - pharmacology
Mitotic Index - drug effects
Oxytetracycline - pharmacology
Tetracycline - pharmacology
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Summary:Normal human lymphocytes in culture were stimulated by the addition of phytohemagglutinin, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis was measured by the incorporation of tritiated thymidine. The effect of 11 commonly used antibiotics on DNA synthesis then was measured by adding each antibiotic to the culture in concentrations ranging from 2 to 64 microng/ml, a range which covers the plasma levels obtained during customary clinical therapy. Severe dose-dependent suppression of DNA synthesis was found in the presence of two preparations of minocycline, oxytetracycline, and the ascorbic acid salt of tetracycline. Less severe but stil significant suppression was found in the presence of chloramphenicol, clindamycin, tetracycline, and ascorbic acid alone. No effect was noted when penicillin, carbenicillin, or cephalothin was added, and slight stimulation was found in the presence of gentamicin. It is postulated that these findings may help to explain fungal and viral superinfection following antibiotic therapy and that they may play a role in the failure of antibiotic therapy to eliminate some infections.
ISSN:0039-6060