Immunopharmacological activity of cefodizime in young and elderly subjects: in vitro and ex vivo studies.

The biological response modifying activities of cefodizime (CDZ), a new third-generation cephalosporin, were investigated in vitro and ex vivo. In vitro investigations using cells isolated from the blood of young healthy donors showed no stimulating activity of CDZ on peripheral blood lymphocytes, natural killer cell activity, IL-1 production by adherent mononuclear cells, PMN chemiluminescence or PMN chemotaxis. A slight but statistically insignificant increase in PMN phagocytosis and phagocytic index was observed in the same population. IL-1 production was increased in three subjects with low resting state values. In a controlled ex vivo study, 20 health elderly subjects selected on the basis of depressed phagocytic function were treated with CDZ 1 g i.m. b.i.d. or placebo for eight days. PMN function was determined at baseline and on the day after the last dose. In the CDZ group a significant increase in both phagocytosis and phagocytic index was found, while there were no changes in the placebo group. In conclusion, CDZ restored depressed PMN phagocytic function in a population of elderly subjects. Patients with impaired PMN function who require antibiotic treatment may benefit from this activity of CDZ.