Effect of ampicillin and sulbactam/ampicillin on the immune system.

An investigation was carried out into the possible effects of ampicillin and a sulbactam/ampicillin combination on the immune system of healthy subjects. The following immunological variables were compared before and after antibiotic therapy: proliferation response of peripheral mononuclear cells to phytohaemagglutinin; variation of T- and B-lymphocytes; dosage of interleukin-2; and production of immunoglobulin A. The data obtained did not demonstrate any immunodepressive activity by either ampicillin or the sulbactam/ampicillin combination.