title: Effect of penicillin on the humoral and cellular immune response following group A streptococcal pharyngitis.
abstract: The effect of oral and parenteral penicillin on the development of cellular and humoral immune responses in chimpanzees infected with group A streptococcal M-types 1, 5 and 12 was investigated. The interrelationship between type-specific antibody response and enhancement of phagocytic competence of polymorphonuclear neutrophils was documented. Penicillin depressed or suppressed type-specific antibody response depending on the mode and dose of administration, probably because of its effect on the streptococci responsible for antibody stimulation. Penicillin was not demonstrated to have a direct effect on phagocytic ability in vitro. Therefore the primary effect of antibiotic therapy is the indirect relationship to suppression or inhibition of type-specific antibody response to M-protein which results in a diminution of phagocytic competence.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010404:Penicillin V / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010406:Penicillins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D010406:Penicillins; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine; D010404:Penicillin V