[Interaction of roxithromycin with human polymorphonuclear neutrophils in vitro and ex vivo]

Roxithromycin (RU 28965) a new semisynthetic macrolide has been reported to display an antibacterial spectrum and activity in vitro similar to those of others macrolides. However, roxithromycin seems more efficient than erythromycin in in vivo experimental infections (mice). We have previously reported that roxithromycin increases the ability of human neutrophils (PMN) for bactericidal activity (S. aureus) or phagocytosis (K. pneumoniae) in vitro without altering other PMN functional parameters. In this study, roxithromycin (single dose-300 mg) was given to 6 human volunteers. The neutrophils collected 90 min after ingestion display a significant increased ability to phagocytose and kill S. aureus and K. pneumoniae. Furthermore chemotaxis, oxidative burst and myeloperoxidase activity of the PMN after roxithromycin ingestion were enhanced compared to those of PMN before ingestion. This discrepancy between immunomodulating effect of roxithromycin in vitro and in vivo outlines the complexity of in vivo experimental models and requires further studies in vivo in particular in patients suffering from sepsis.