[Effect of colchicine and indomethacin on leukocytic phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli].

The phagocytosis of S. aureus SG 511 and E. coli O4/K31 by human polymorphonuclear leucocytes is inhibited by colchicine in concentrations of 0.05 and 0.04%. In comparison to the controls the growth of bacteria was reduced but not stopped. If human blood is added to the culture medium, staphylococci multiply in the presence of all colchicine concentrations tested. In contrast E. coli grows only at a concentration of colchicine of 0.02-0.03%. Indomethacin dissolved in ethanol inhibited clearly the phagocytosis of S. aureus and E. coli. This inhibition was significant for concentrations of 2 X 10(-4) and 1 X 10(-4) mol/l. The behavior of the tested bacteria with respect to growth and multiplications was not affected. Indomethacin, however, retarded the bacterial growth in concentrations from 2 X 10(-4) up to 3.75 X 10(-5) mol/l. The multiplication of E. coli was stopped by indomethacin at a concentration of 2 X 10(-4) mol/l. If human blood is added to the phagocytosis test system with S. aureus and indomethacin, the bacteria will show a little reduction in the rate of the multiplication in concentrations of the compound from 2 X 10(-4) up to 3.75 X 10(-5) mol/l. At a concentration of 2 X 10(-4) mol/l, the growth of E. coli was inhibited. It is concluded that for the inhibition of phagocytosis--f. e. in blood culture systems--the concentration of colchicine must be 0.03-0.02%; for indomethacin an optimal concentration of 1 X 10(-4) mol/l is recommended.