ROLE OF PHAGOCYTIC DEFENSE IN THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF STREPTOMYCIN IN VIVO

The experimental study of the mode of action of streptomycin in vivo throws light on the role of primary importance played by phagocytosis in the annihilation of certain pathogenic microorganisms. Phagocytic englobement and intracellular digestion of these microbes intervene in the last act of the fight which is waged between the organism submitted to streptomycin treatment and the microbe. This is exact in the case of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. On the other hand, in infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Bacillus anthracis, intervention of phagocytic defense is either effaced or apparently non-existent. Here, the bactericidal and anticapsulogenic effects of streptomycin are part of the first plan, the destruction of bacteria being more the result of such effects than the intervention of phagocytes. The degree of this intervention varies then according to the type of microbe under consideration. It appears at least probable that in the course of treatment with streptomycin the phagocytic defense is more effective in respect to non- capsulogenic microbes than face to face with pathogenic agents susceptible of encapsulation.