Effect of cefotaxime on cytokine production in newborns and adults in vitro

The in vitro effect of cefotaxime on the production of interleukin (IL)-1 b eta, IL-2, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) was studied in term neonates and was compared with that of adults. The addition of cefotax ime caused a significant enhancement of IL-2 production by cells of both ad ults and neonates, and increased the secretion of TNF alpha by peripheral b lood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of adults, whereas the synthesis of this cyto kine by cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) of the newborns was not affecte d. In contrast with the described stimulatory effects of cefotaxime, this d rug induced dose-dependent inhibition of the spontaneous and lipopolysaccha ride (LPS)-induced IL-1 beta production by cells of the two groups, but had no effect on the in vitro production of IL-6. These data suggest that cefo taxime, apart from its known antimicrobial activity, may modify the host im mune response of both newborns and adults, via the alteration of cytokine p roduction. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.