AMPHOTERICIN-B AND 5-FLUOROCYTOSINE - EFFECTS ON CELL-MEDIATED-IMMUNITY

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 40  (1) , 186-192
Abstract
Although single-dose amphotericin B therapy appears to be immunostimulatory in mice, no data are available regarding the effects of chronic anti-fungal drug therapy on the immune system. The effects on the guinea pig cellular immune system of 4 wk of treatment were studied with amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine, or the combination of both drugs. The in vitro lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin and the specific antigen, picryl human serum albumin (picHSA), were not affected by anti-fungal drug treatment. At 1.5 wk of therapy with amphotericin B, skin test reactivity to picHSA was significantly reduced but returned toward normal by the end of 3.5 wk of drug therapy. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor production by guinea pig peripheral blood lymphocytes was significantly reduced after 4 wk of amphotericin B therapy. No immunostimulatory properties could be ascribed to amphotericin B. 5-fluorocytosine had no effect on cellular immunity.