[Enhancement of susceptibility of sulbactam/cefoperazone-treated bacteria to phagocytes].

Effects of sulbactam/cefoperazone (SBT/CPZ) on the host-parasite relationship were studied using an established mouse macrophage cell line. Since SBT inactivates some types of beta-lactamase strongly, a combination of SBT with CPZ shows marked antibacterial activities against the bacteria producing beta-lactamases. In addition, sub-MIC levels of SBT/CPZ made Escherichia coli more susceptible to bactericidal activity of macrophage. This study provides evidence that SBT/CPZ works in partnership with host defense mechanism against bacterial infections in clinical situations.