Clindamycin enhances murine delayed-type hypersensitivity and anti-candidal activity

The contact sensitivity response of mice to dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB), as determined by an epicutaneous painting and subsequent ear challenge assay, was enhanced by clindamycin administration. The optimal augmentation effect of clindamycin required its simultaneous administration at the time of DNFB skin sensitization. Clindamycin also was found to boost both in-vitro and in-vivo murine response to experimental infection with Candida lusitaniae. Intraperitoneal injection of 1-2 mg of the drug increased the clearance of yeast from organs after intravenous inoculation of mice. Clindamycin at concentrations of as low as 12.5 mg/l also increased the ability of cultured murine macrophages to kill the yeast without an increase in phagocytic activity.