The immunosuppressive effect of cephalosporins and cephalosporin-gentamicin combinations.
Human peripheral blood lymphocytes were cultured in several concentrations of each of 13 cephalosporins alone or in combination with gentamicin. Response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) was compared with that of cultures containing no antibiotics. No apparent immunoinhibitory effect could be detected for most cephalosporins. The lymphocyte response was inhibited to a statistically significant degree by ceftriaxone at 50 mg/l. For cefamandole, cefotaxime, cefoxitin and cephalothin a significant inhibition was detected at 50 mg/l when gentamicin (12 mg/l) was also added. The degree of immunosuppression varied between lymphocytes from different donors. Since some of the cephalosporins were suppressive in therapeutically attainable concentrations the results may have practical clinical significance.
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Lund, Malmö General Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
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Forsgren
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005839:Gentamicins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D013936:Thymidine