In vitro effects of ureidopenicillins on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

The in vitro effects of mezlocillin, azlocillin and piperacillin on chemotaxis and adhesivity of human leukocytes were comparatively studied. After incubation with all these antibiotics, chemotactic and adhesivity counts were similar to those of the antibiotic-free cells. Scanning electron microscope examination showed enlargement of surface and length measurements after incubation with azlocillin (P less than 0.005 and P less than 0.001) and mezlocillin (P greater than 0.05 and P less than 0.05), while piperacillin produced no alteration. These findings could provide additional information in the study of leukocyte/antibiotics interactions.