Evaluation of the immunostimulating activity of erythromycin in man.

The effects of erythromycin on the immune system have been studied in healthy volunteers and patients suffering from chronic bronchopneumonial diseases, by means of the following assays: phagocytosis, natural killer activity and superoxide anion production. The tests were performed before and after oral administration of 1 g of erythromycin. The findings suggest that erythromycin enhances phagocytosis by means of increasing ingestion of microorganisms, superoxide anion (O2-) production as well as natural killer activity. Under the experimental conditions described these effects appear 4-6 h after drug intake and reach their maximum around the 8th hour.