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Subinhibitory concentrations of erythromycin reduce pneumococcal adherence to respiratory epithelial cells in vitro

K Lagrou1, W E Peetermans, M Jorissen

  • 1Infectious Diseases Research Group, Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Internal Medicine, Rega Institute for Medical Research, K. U. Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. katrien.lagrou@rega.kuleven.ac.be

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|November 4, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Subinhibitory erythromycin concentrations significantly reduce Streptococcus pneumoniae adherence to respiratory cells. This antibiotic may also interfere with pneumolysin release, impacting bacterial virulence.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of respiratory infections.
  • Understanding how subinhibitory antibiotic concentrations affect bacterial-host interactions is crucial for treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of subinhibitory erythromycin concentrations on the interaction between S. pneumoniae and human respiratory epithelial cells.
  • To determine if erythromycin affects bacterial adherence, epithelial integrity, or inflammatory responses.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro culture of human respiratory epithelial cells.
  • Inoculation with erythromycin-resistant S. pneumoniae.
  • Measurement of bacterial adherence, transepithelial electrical resistance, and interleukin-8 secretion.
  • Assessment of pneumolysin release.

Main Results:

  • Erythromycin significantly reduced S. pneumoniae adherence at 4 and 24 hours (P < 0.05).
  • Erythromycin delayed the disruption of epithelial integrity caused by S. pneumoniae.
  • Interleukin-8 secretion was not significantly affected by erythromycin or pneumococcal infection.
  • Erythromycin almost completely prevented pneumolysin release from S. pneumoniae.

Conclusions:

  • Subinhibitory erythromycin concentrations decrease S. pneumoniae adherence to respiratory epithelial cells.
  • Erythromycin may reduce bacterial virulence by inhibiting pneumolysin release.
  • These findings suggest a potential role for subinhibitory erythromycin in managing pneumococcal respiratory infections.

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