title: Effect of rufloxacin upon non-specific immune defences: in-vitro, ex-vivo and in-vivo results.
abstract: This study investigated in-vitro, ex-vivo and in-vivo the immunomodulatory effects of rufloxacin. 0.5 MIC of rufloxacin significantly enhanced human macrophage phagocytosis and increased intracellular killing of Klebsiella pneumoniae in vitro. Pre-incubation of K. pneumoniae with rufloxacin made the bacteria more susceptible to both phagocytosis and intracellular killing by human macrophages than control organisms. Following pre-exposure of macrophages to 0.5 MIC of rufloxacin, there was a significant increase in the intracellular killing of K. pneumoniae compared with the controls, indicating the ability of rufloxacin to cross biological membranes and to remain active within phagocytes. Ex-vivo experiments show that iv administration of rufloxacin in mice lead to an increase in both phagocytic and microbicidal intracellular activity by phagocytes. In-vivo models of experimental infections showed that prophylactic administration of rufloxacin increased the survival of mice after challenge with Candida albicans.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, University of Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cuffini
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tullio
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Allocco
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paizis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Leo
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Carlone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007710:Klebsiella Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D015363:Quinolones / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D015363:Quinolones; C060328:rufloxacin