Effects of cefpirome in comparison with cefuroxime against human polymorphonuclear leucocytes in vitro.

The interaction of cefpirome and cefuroxime, with human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) was examined. The effects of therapeutic concentration (1, 10, and 50 mg/L) of both antimicrobial agents on the adherence, spontaneous mobility, chemotaxis, chemokinesis, phagocytosis and candidacidal capacity were studied in vitro. No statistically significant variations, in relation to the control, were observed in the ability of PMNs to adhere to nylon fibre at the concentrations of cefuroxime and cefpirome used. With both antimicrobial agents, PMN mobility increased as the antibiotic concentration was increased. A statistically significant increase (P < 0.05) in spontaneous mobility, chemotaxis and chemokinesis was observed with cefpirome at only 10 mg/L. However, only spontaneous mobility was increased significantly with cefuroxime at 10 mg/L. The strongest effects were observed with cefpirome at 50 mg/L with variations of about 70% (P < 0.01), in chemotaxis and chemokinesis. In general, cefpirome had a positive effect on phagocytosis and candidacidal power, which was significant at a concentration of 50 mg/L (P < 0.01). Cefuroxime, in general, produced no modifications in either phagocytosis or candidacidal power.