The influence of cefepime on opsonophagocytosis of bacteria.

The effect of subminimal inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of a semi-synthetic beta-lactam antibiotic, cefepime (BMY 28142), was studied on the opsonophagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PNMs) of strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca and Staphylococcus aureus. Cefepime-treated Gram-negative bacteria were not better phagocytosed by PMNs; however the uptake of one of three S. aureus strains was enhanced. The effect of cefepime on the uptake of strains of E. coli was compared to that of two other beta-lactam antibiotics, mecillinam and ceftriaxone. Exposure of E. coli to sub-MICs of mecillinam and ceftriaxone enhanced phagocytosis by PMNs.