Uptake and intracellular activity of sparfloxacin in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and tissue culture cells.

The penetration of sparfloxacin into human neutrophils (PMN) and different tissue culture cells (HEp-2 and McCoy) was evaluated. The cellular to extracellular concentration ratios (C/E) of sparfloxacin were always higher than 4 at extracellular concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 25 mg/liter. The uptake of sparfloxacin by PMN was rapid, nonsaturable, reversible, not energy dependent, and significantly reduced at pH 8. The penetration of this agent into PMN was similar when viable and Formalin-killed cells were used and was not affected by environmental temperature. Ingestion of opsonized zymosan significantly increased the amount of PMN-associated sparfloxacin. Sparfloxacin at a concentration of 0.5 mg induced a significant reduction in the survival of intracellular Staphylococcus aureus. It is concluded that sparfloxacin reaches intracellular concentrations within leukocytic cells much higher than extracellular concentrations, while remaining active intracellularly.