title: The relevance of in vitro measurements of opsonophagocytosis to the study of antibiotic-PMN-bacterium interactions in vivo.
abstract: There is increasing evidence that the outcome of therapy of serious bacterial infections especially in the immuno-compromised patient depends to some extent on the efficacy of the host's reticuloendothelial system. The ability of circulating leukocytes to eradicate foci of bacteria can be influenced directly or indirectly by antibiotics. However, the measurement of such an interaction in vivo is difficult and reliance is placed on in vitro studies. Such models only partly mirror the in vivo situation but, nevertheless, their study improves our understanding of the antibiotic-bacterium-leukocyte interaction. Examples will be drawn from studies of the interaction of staphylococci with host defences under in vitro situations resembling tissue abscesses, valvular endocarditis and catheter-associated infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bacteriology, Medical School, University of Glasgow, Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Gemmell
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D013997:Time Factors; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014640:Vancomycin