Effects of beta-lactam antibiotics imipenem/cilastatin and cefodizime on cellular and humoral immune responses in BALB/c-mice.

The effects of a 7-day chemotherapy with two broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics (imipenem/cilastatin and cefodizime) on the humoral and cellular immune responses in BALB/c-mice were investigated. Antibiotic dosages were calculated on a body weight basis from therapeutical dosages in human medicine. Treatment of experimental mice with imipenem/cilastatin and cefodizime did not influence the production of immunoglobulines (IgM and IgG) nor the delayed type hypersensitivity to oxazolone. In vitro, exposure of human granulocytes to imipenem/cilastatin and cefodizime did not interfere with their phagocytic activity as determined by chemiluminescence assay. Subinhibitory concentrations of both antibiotics modified Staphylococcus aureus and made them more susceptible for granulocyte phagocytosis in chemiluminescence assays.