title: Activity of aztreonam in pneumology, Part 2: Influence on phagocytosis and intracellular killing of human alveolar macrophages.
abstract: The study aim was to evaluate the activity of aztreonam on phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC6538 by human alveolar macrophages. Drug concentrations of 1, 10, 25, 100 micrograms/ml were assayed in culture medium. Aztreonam induces dose-dependent phagocytosis up to 25 micrograms/ml concentrations; with a phagocytosis index (PIa) of 1.18 +/- 0.2 at 1 microgram/ml; of 1.27 +/- 0.2 at 10 micrograms/ml; of 1.42 +/- 0.3 at 25 micrograms/ml. No phagocytosis increase or inhibition, with unchanged cell viability compared to controls, is shown at 100 micrograms/ml aztreonam (PI 1.03 +/- 0.3). Intracellular killing acts in a similar way: the killing index (KIa) is 1.27 +/- 0.3 at 1 microgram/ml concentrations; 1.38 +/- 0.3 at 10 micrograms/ml; 1.61 +/- 0.4 at 25 micrograms/ml whereas at 100 micrograms/ml the KIa is 1.03 +/- 0.3. This study shows aztreonam's ability to stimulate macrophages' functional activity against a microorganism (S. aureus) which is not susceptible to its antibacterial activity.
authors.affiliation: Chair and Division of Pneumology and Respiratory Diseases, Polyclinic, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Velluti
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Garuti
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bonucchi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gilioli
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Capelli
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rovatti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Covi
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001398:Aztreonam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D001398:Aztreonam