Effect of beta-lactams and aminoglycosides on human polymorphonuclear leucocytes

The effects of four beta-lactams (cefotaxime, cefoxitin, ceftazidime and latamoxef) and three aminoglycosides (amikacin, sisomicin and tobramycin) on human polymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocytes were examined. Chemotaxis was studied by agarose migration and in a Boyden chamber. Agarose migration of PMN leucocytes was not affected significantly by ceftazidime and latamoxef (25-200 mg/l). However cefoxitin (50-200 mg/l) decreased agarose migration to 52-65% of the control values, and cefotaxime (25-200 mg/l) reduced migration to 29-67% of control values. The Boyden chamber method showed no significant inhibition of chemotaxis by any of the antibiotics tested. None of these antibiotics affected phagocytosis or killing of Candida albicans by human PMNs.