title: Antibiotics and immunomodulation: effects of cefotaxime, amikacin, mezlocillin, piperacillin and clindamycin.
abstract: The effects of 7 days' chemotherapy on the humoral and cellular parameters of the host immune system are described. In Balb/c mice the effects of cefotaxime, amikacin, mezlocillin, piperacillin and clindamycin were examined. The delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, as well as the IgM and IgG responses, were suppressed by four of the five drugs tested: cefotaxime, amikacin, mezlocillin and piperacillin. One to two weeks after completion of chemotherapy with cefotaxime and amikacin, these parameters returned to normal values, whereas the mezlocillin- or piperacillin-modified reactions were still suppressed after 20 days. The concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferative activities of mouse spleen cells were suppressed, especially by mezlocillin. The possible consequences of the immunomodulating effects of antibiotics for antimicrobial chemotherapy are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000583:Amikacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000494:pharmacology; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008802:Mezlocillin / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010878:Piperacillin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D002981:Clindamycin; D000583:Amikacin; D002439:Cefotaxime; D008802:Mezlocillin; D010878:Piperacillin