The cell-mediated immune system is a major component of the host defense againstChlamydia trachomatisand also contributes to chlamydia-associated pathology. We were, therefore interested in delineating the effects of antibiotics used to treat chlamydial infections on immune responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Therapeutic levels of doxycycline, but not erythromycin or clindamycin, inhibited the in vitro release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha; and interleukin-6 from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to lipopolysaccharide. Preincubation of monocytes and lymphocytes individually with the antibiotic prior to their recombination and stimulation with lipopolysaccharide demonstrated that doxycycline acted directly on the monocytes. This ability of doxycycline to inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators from activated monocytes may influence its effectiveness, relative to clindamycin and erythromycin, in the treatment ofC. trachomatisinfections.
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