Abstract
The data available on the activity of antibiotics against microorganisms ingested by mononuclear phagocytes are reviewed. The antibacterial activity of penicillins againstStaphylococcus aureus is enhanced by human monocytes. This enhancement is possibly brought about by a peptidoglycan-degrading enzyme that is produced and secreted by monocytes. Aminoglycosides affect bacteria ingested by mononuclear phagocytes, but their intracellular activity-is limited as compared with that of non-phagocytosed bacteria. Clindamycin, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin and rifampicin are effective against intracellular bacteria. The first three of these antibiotics do not show enhanced activity against phagocytosed bacteria, contrary to what might be expected from their high cell-associated concentrations.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Leijh PCJ, van den Barselaar MT, van Zwet TL, Daha MR, van Furth R Requirement of extracellular complement and immunoglobulin for intracellular killing of microorganisms by human monocytes. Journal of Clinical Investigation 1979, 63: 772–784.
Leijh PCJ, van den Barselaar MT, Daha MR, van Furth R Stimulation of the intracellular killing ofStaphylococcus aureus by monocytes: regulation by immunoglobulin G and complement components C3/C3b and B/Bb. Journal of Immunology 1982, 129: 332–337.
van den Broek PJ, Buys LFM, Mattie H, van Furth R The effect of penicillin G onStaphylococcus aureus phagocytosed by human monocytes. Journal of Infectious Diseases 1986, 153: 586–592.
van den Brock PJ, Buys LFM, Mattie H, van Furth R Comparison of the effect of phenoxymethylpenicillin, cloxacillin, and flucloxacillin onStaphylococcus aureus phagocytosed by human monocytes. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 1986, 17: 767–774.
van den Broek PJ, Buys LFM, van den Barselaar MT, Leijh PCJ, van Furth R Interaction between human monocytes and penicillin G in relation to the antibacterial effect onStaphylococcus aureus. Journal of Infectious Diseases 1985, 152: 521–528.
van den Broek PJ, van Furth R Influence of monocytes on the antibacterial activity of penicillin G onStaphylococcus aureus. In: van Furth R (ed): Mononuclear phagocytes. Characteristics, physiology and function. Nartinus Nijhoff, Dordrecht, 1985, p. 473–477.
Gordon S, Todd J, Cohn ZA In vitro synthesis and secretion of lysozyme by mononuclear phagocytes. Journal of Experimental Medicine 1974, 139: 1228–1248.
Warren GH, Gray J Effect of sublethal concentrations of penicillins on the lysis of bacteria by lysozyme and trypsin. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology 1965, 120: 504–511.
Van den Broek PJ, Buys LFM The influence of human monocytes on the antibacterial activity of vancomycin and teicoplanin againstStaphylococcus aureus. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 1990, 25: 101–195.
Tipper DJ, Strominger JL Mechanism of action of penicillins: a proposal based on their structural similarity to acyl-D-alanyl-D-alanine. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 1965, 54: 1133–1141.
Mirelman D, Bracha R, Sharon N Role of the penicillin-sensitive transpeptidation reaction in attachment of newly synthesized peptidoglycan to cell walls ofMicrococcus luteus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 1972, 69: 3355–3359.
Perkins HR, Nieto M In: Munoz E, Ferrandiz F, Vazques D (ed): Molecular mechanisms of antibiotic action on protein biosynthesis and membranes. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1972, p. 363.
Neuhaus FC, Carpenter CV, Lambert MP, Wargel RJ In: Munoz E, Ferrandiz F, Vazques D (ed): Molecular mechanisms of antibiotic action on protein biosynthesis and membranes. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1972, p. 339.
Cole P, Brostoff J Intracellular killing ofListeria monocytogenes by activated macrophages (Mackaness system) is due to antibiotic. Nature 1975, 256: 515–517.
Brown KN, Percival A Penetration of antimicrobials into tissue culture cells and leucocytes. Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases 1978, Supplement 14: 251–260.
Suter E Multiplication of tubercle bacilli within phagocytes cultivated in vitro, and effect of streptomycin and isonicotinic acid hydrazide. American Review of Tuberculosis 1952, 65: 775–776.
Mackaness GB, Smith N The bactericidal action of isoniazid, streptomycin, and terramycin on extracellular and intracellular tubercle bacilli. American Journal of Tuberculosis 1953, 67: 322–340.
Mackaness GB The action of drugs on intracellular tubercle bacilli. Journal of Pathology and Bacteriology 1952, 64: 429–446.
Jenkin C, Benacerraf B In vitro studies on the interaction between mouse peritoneal macrophages and strains ofSalmonella andEscherichia coli. Journal of Experimental Medicine 1960, 112: 403–417.
Kochan I, Smith L Antimycobacterial activity of tuberculostatic factor on intracellular bacilli. Journal of Immunology 1965, 94: 220–227.
Morello JA, Baker EF Interaction ofSalmonella with phagocytes in vitro. Journal of Infectious Diseases 1965, 115: 131–141.
Nutter JE, Myrvik QN In vitro interactions between rabbit alveolar macrophages andPasteurella tularensis. Journal of Bacteriology 1966, 92: 645–651.
Oxman E, Bonventre PF Facilitated uptake of streptomycin by Kuppfer cells during phagocytosis. Nature 1967, 21: 294–295.
Thorpe BD, Marcus S Phagocytosis and intracellular fate ofPasteurella tularensis: in vitro effects of exudate stimulants and streptomycin on phagocytic cells. Journal of the Reticuloendothelial Society 1967, 4: 10–23.
Gröschel D, Jakubowitch R Use of ampicillin instead of streptomycin inSalmonella-infected mouse peritoneal macrophage cultures. Journal of Bacteriology 1967, 93: 1199–1200.
Chang YT Suppressive activity of streptomycin on the growth ofMycobacterium lepraemurium in macrophage cultures. Applied Microbiology 1969, 17: 750–754.
Patterson RJ, Youmans GP Multiplication ofMycobacterium tuberculosis within normal and “immune” mouse macrophages cultivated with and without streptomycin. Infection and Immunity 1970, 1: 30–40.
Bonventre PF, Imhoff JG Uptake of3H-dihydrostreptomycin by macrophages in culture. Infection and Immunity 1970, 2: 89–95.
Tulkens PM Intracellular distribution and activity of antibiotics. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases 1991, 10: 100–106.
van den Broek PJ, Buys LFM, van den Barselaar MT, Leijh PCJ, van Furth R Influence of human monocytes on the antibacterial activity of kanamycin and gentamicin onStaphylococcus aureus. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 1986, 29: 1032–1039.
Horwitz MA, Silverstein SC Intracellular multiplication of legionnaires' disease bacteria (Legionella pneumophila) in human monocytes is reversibly inhibited by erythromycin and rifampin. Journal of Clinical Investigation 1983, 71: 15–26.
Yoshida S, Mizuguchi Y Antibiotic susceptibility ofLegionella pneumophila Philadelphia-1 in cultured guinea-pig peritoneal macrophages. Journal of General Microbiology 1984, 130: 901–906.
Clini V, Grassi C The action of new antituberculous drugs on intracellular tubercle bacilli. Antibiotica et Chemotherapia 1970, 16: 20–26.
Carlone WA, Acocella G, Cuffini AM, Forno-Pizzoglio M Killing of macrophage-ingested mycobacteria by rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and pyrazinoic acid alone and in combination. American Review of Respiratory Diseases 1985, 132: 1274–1277.
Perumal VK, Gangadharam PRJ, Iseman MD Effect of rifabutin on the phagocytosis and intracellular growth ofMycobacterium intracellulare in mouse resident and activated peritoneal and alveolar macrophages. American Review of Respiratory Diseases 1987, 136: 334–337.
Bermudez LEM, Wu M, Young LS Intracellular killing ofMycobacterium avium complex by rifapentine and liposome-encapsulated amikacin. Journal of Infectious Diseases 1987, 156: 510–513.
Elliott GR, Peterson PK, Verbrugh HA, Freiberg MR, Hoidal JR, Quie PG Influence of subinhibitory concentrations of penicillin, cephalothin, and clindamycin onStaphylococcus aureus growth in human phagocytic cells. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 1982, 22: 781–784.
Easmon CSF, Crane JP Cellular uptake of clindamycin and lincomycin. British Journal of Experimental Pathology 1984, 65: 725–730.
Vosbeck K, James PR, Zimmermann W Antibiotic action on phagocytosed bacteria measured by a new method for determining viable bacteria. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 1984, 25: 735–741.
Easmon CSF, Crane JP, Blowers A Effect of ciprofloxacin on intracellular organisms: in vitro and in vivo studies. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 1986, 18, Supplement D: 43–48.
Coune A Liposomes as drug delivery system in the treatment of infectious diseases. Potential applications and clinical experience. Infection 1988, 3: 141–147.
van den Broek PJ Antimicrobial drugs, micro-organisms, and phagocytes. Reviews of Infectious Diseases 1989,11: 213–245.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
van den Broek, P.J. Activity of antibiotics against microorganisms ingested by mononuclear phagocytes. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 10, 114–118 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01964422
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01964422