Effects of Selected Antibiotics on Experimental Candidiasis in Cyclophosphamide-Treated Mice: An In Vivo Model to Evaluate the Antibiotic Effect on Granulocytopoiesis

Abstract

The level and duration of granulocytopenia in cancer patients treated with cytostatics drugs are the most important prognostic factors [3]. High dosages of beta-lactam antibiotics have been shown to have myelosuppressive effects [9], delaying or inhibiting the recovery of the polymorphonuclear phagocyte system. The underlying mechanisms of such adverse reactions are still a matter of debate, some authors being in favor of a peripheral immunopathological response with the production of specific antibiodies against the polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) [8], others favoring a direct toxicity to the bone marrow with a marked diminution of the well-differentiated myeloid cells associated with normal levels of immature myeloid precursor cells [9]. Since only in vitro models have been developed to examine the dose-dependent inhibition of granulopoiesis induced by beta-lactam antibiotics, it was decided to evaluate such potential adverse reactions in an in vivo model using neutropenic mice being treated with various antibiotics.