Antibiotics and suppression of lymphocyte function in vitro

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Antibiotics are crucial for treating bacterial infections.
• Understanding their potential impact on the human immune system is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the in vitro effects of 20 different antibiotics on human T and B lymphocyte mitogenic responses.
• To assess the impact on in vitro antibody production and protein synthesis in lymphocytes.

Main Methods:

• Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated.
• Lymphocytes were stimulated to assess mitogenic response.
• Antibiotic effects were evaluated at various concentrations on T and B cell proliferation and in vitro antibody production.
• Protein synthesis in unstimulated lymphocytes was also measured.

Main Results:

• Penicillins, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, nalidixic acid, and 5-fluorocytosine showed no significant inhibitory effects.
• Erythromycin, clindamycin, and rifampin exhibited inhibitory effects at high concentrations on both T and B lymphocytes.
• Fusidic acid, nitrofurantoin, and doxycycline demonstrated inhibitory effects at low concentrations on T and B lymphocyte mitogenic responses and in vitro antibody production.
• Protein synthesis in unstimulated lymphocytes was inhibited by fusidic acid, nitrofurantoin, and doxycycline.

Conclusions:

• Certain antibiotics, including fusidic acid, nitrofurantoin, and doxycycline, can impair human lymphocyte function in vitro.
• These effects include inhibition of T and B lymphocyte mitogenic responses, in vitro antibody production, and protein synthesis.
• Clinicians should be aware of potential immunomodulatory effects of specific antibiotics.