Phagocytosis and killing of intracellular pathogens: interaction between cytokines and antibiotics

Phagocytosis and bacterial killing are the primary functions of macrophages. Among the mechanisms involved in the phagocytic process, cytokines, especially those of T-helper 1 profile, appear to influence considerably the internalization and the intracellular fate of the pathogen within the macrophage. In particular, the evidence for a cooperation of cytokines with antibiotics in intracellular infection could provide new therapeutic approaches to intracellular infectious diseases in the future. Curr Opin Infect Dis 13:233-240 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.