Antimycoplasmal activity of dimethylphenols in a tracheal explant culture system.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae induces pneumonia-like symptoms in hamsters and causes ciliostasis and cytonecrosis in hamster tracheal explants. 2,4-Dimethylphenol and, to a lesser extent, its 2,3-, 2,5-, and 2,6-dimethylphenol isomers protected tracheal explants from these changes after exposure to virulent M. pneumoniae strain PI 1428. The effect was concentration, time, and isomer dependent. At concentrations of 10(-9) M or greater, 2,4-dimethylphenol completely prevented the morphological (loss of ciliated cells) and biochemical (decreased dehydrogenase activity) changes normally observed after exposure to M. pneumoniae. Apparently, 2,4-dimethylphenol interfered with an early event in the infection process. Complete protection required that it be present during the first 2 h of exposure of the explants to the infecting mycoplasmas. These xylenols may prove to be useful tools for helping to define the mechanisms of pathogenesis in certain respiratory infections.
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D006224:Cricetinae; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D009177:Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D011019:Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D014992:Xylenes
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010636:Phenols; D014992:Xylenes; C027804:2,4-dimethylphenol