Detection of anti-interferon-gamma autoantibodies in subjects infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Setting: Among the cytokines involved in defensive mechanisms against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, special attention has been given to interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma); a local synthesis of this cytokine as well as IL-2 (type 1 cytokines) at the site of disease in patients with tuberculous pleuritis has been demonstrated. Moreover, high levels of IgG autoantibodies against IFN-gamma have been shown in several clinical situations. It has been suggested that these antibodies could serve to limit the intensity or duration of the immune response or be able to interfere with the pathophysiological effects of IFN-gamma.

[Effect of treatment with clindamycin, erythromycin, rifamycin or gentamicin on the ingestion capacity of peritoneal macrophages in mice].

The effect of treatment with clindamycin, erythromycin, rifamycin and gentamicin on the ingestion capacity of the mouse peritoneal macrophage was studied. Female six-eight week old OF1 mice were treated with minimum and maximum doses clinically used for the different antibiotics (15 and 40 mg/kg/day of clindamycin, 15 and 57.5 mg/kg/day of erythromycin, 10 and 30 mg/kg/day of rifamycin, 3 and 6 mg/kg/day of gentamicin).

[Effect of erythromycin and phosphomycin on the ingestion and destruction capacity of the human polymorphonuclear leukocyte].

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the uptake and intracellular destruction capacity of the human neutrophil. Human neutrophils from healthy individuals not receiving any therapy were incubated during 15, 90 and 180 minutes with the minimal, intermediate and maximal doses achieved in serum during treatment with therapeutic doses of these antibiotics (3, 6.45 and 9.

Effect of erythromycin treatment on specific immunologic response in mice.

Six week old Swiss mice were sensitized by subcutaneous injection of 10(7) sheep red blood cells without adjuvant. One hour after sensitization, the mice were treated with erythromycin lactobionate for ten days. The minimal (15 mg/kg/day) and maximal (57 mg/kg/day) doses clinically used were assayed.