Anti-tuberculosis drugs and human polymorphonuclear leukocyte functions.

Background: The polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) is considered to be of importance in the early stages of human tuberculosis (TB). We examined the four drugs (rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol) commonly used in the DOTS (directly observed treatment, short-course) strategy against TB for their effects on the functions of the human PMN, separately and combined.

Methods: PMNs were incubated with subtherapeutic, therapeutic and supratherapeutic concentrations of the drugs before being tested for phagocytosis and oxidative burst capacity with Staphylococcus aureus opsonized with pooled human serum as stimuli.