Cefodizime enhances phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus but does not influence polymorphonuclear leukocytes response to fMLP stimulation.

The influence of Cefodizime (CDZ) on in vitro activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) from healthy subjects was assessed. Preincubation with CDZ enhanced phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus by PMNL. Contrary to numerous clinical reports, no significant effect of CDZ preincubation on PMNL response to n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine was found with respect to intracellular calcium changes, degranulation, hydrogen peroxide production, and chemiluminescence. These results suggest that augmented microbicidal activity of PMNL is not related to the enhanced production of reactive oxygen species in healthy subjects.