Effects of vancomycin, teicoplanin, daptomycin and coumermycin on normal immune capabilities.

Vancomycin, teicoplanin, daptomycin, and coumermycin were investigated for immunomodulatory activity on both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in Balb/c mice. All four antibiotics did not produce any interference with these responses as measured by hemolytic plaque assay and delayed-type hypersensitivity to sheep red blood cells. The administration of these antibiotics for seven days did not affect the peripheral blood leukocyte count or spleen weights. When these antibiotics were tested for their interaction with human polymorphonuclear phagocytic activity, no alteration in this activity was observed. These findings suggest that vancomycin, teicoplanin, daptomycin, and coumermycin may be safely used for the treatment of infections without altering host-defence mechanisms.