[The effect of subinhibitory concentrations of cefaclor, erythromycin and doxycycline on phagocytosis and intracellular killing of E. coli by human neutrophil granulocytes].

After determination of granulocyte basic parameters of polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes obtained from 5 unselected intensive care unit patients and 5 healthy volunteers phagocytosis of an E. coli strain isolated from clinically proven infection (urinary tract infection) was investigated with and without preincubation of the strain with subinhibitory concentrations (1/4 and 1/2 minimum inhibitory concentration; incubation time: 30 min) of cefaclor, erythromycin and doxycycline. The results show that it is very difficult to compare granulocyte functions because they differ widely in individual ranges among both groups. Nevertheless in comparison to the untreated strain a higher amount of ingestion by the granulocytes of both collectives could be obtained after preincubation with cefaclor or erythromycin; thereby cefaclor seemed to be the most effective drug.