Immunomodulation as an Additional Mechanism of Action of Amoxicillin – Clavulanic Acid/Clavulanate
Journal Title: Indian Journal of Communicable Diseases - Year 2017, Vol 3, Issue 2
Abstract
Immunomodulation is the process of modulating the induction, expression, amplification, or inhibition of the immune system in a positive or negative manner. Both immunosuppressants and immunostimulators act by either suppressing or stimulating the immune system against a pathogen or tumour. Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (AMCA) is a wellknown antimicrobial agent which has a broad spectrum of activity. Although it was originally developed to reduce bacterial resistance through its antimicrobial activity, this combination also possesses immunomodulatory action. The immunomodulatory effect of AMCA has further broadened the activity of amoxicillin against lactamaseproducing strains such as S. aureus, E coli, H. influenza, and K. pneumonia, and the anaerobic Bacteroides fragilis (B. fragilis). This combination inhibits lactam inhibitor and protects amoxicillin from being degraded by a lactamase enzyme. The immunomodulatory effect of AMCA is elicited through various mechanisms such as interaction with the host system, phagocytosis, interaction with host defense cells, and transmigration of PMNs at the inflammatory site. The present review article focusses on immunomodulatory effect of AMCA in bacterial infections. The review further discusses the effect of AMCA in respiratory tract infections (both upper and lower), otitis media, and Skin and Soft Tissue Infection (SSTI). In addition, the article discusses the mechanisms through which AMCA has shown established effect against various resistant bacteria which has made this combination the drug of choice for treating infections as listed above.
Authors and Affiliations
Puneet Rijhwani
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP451981
- DOI 10.21088/ijcd.2395.6631.3217.4
- Views 100
- Downloads 0
A Study to Assess the Knowledge and Practice on Prevention of Dengue Fever among Rural Residents of Chemmaruthy Panchayath, Varkala
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies dengue as a disease important in public health. In the absence of an effective vaccine it is essential to impart other remedial measures to reduce the morbidity and mortalit...
Prioritizing Pneumococcal Vaccine Introduction in the Developing World: the Indian Experience
Pneumococcal diseases in ‘under 5 populations’ are responsible for millions of deaths annually in the developing world. Effective vaccination against pneumococcal diseases is available using vaccines but their high cost...
Awareness of Vector Borne Diseases amongst Students of High School and Windsor University School of Medicine (WUSOM), Cayon, St. Kitts, West Indies (WI)
Background: Vector borne diseases (VBD) account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases world-wide. VBD pose a serious public health problem in several parts of the world including the Caribbean region. Awareness of...
Assessment of Job Satisfaction Level among Doctors: A Comparative Study of Public and Private Hospitals in Punjab, India
Introduction: A proficient doctor spends more time in understanding the emotions of the patients, which may be helpful for the better treatment. Doctor’s role is to promote patients welfare, not their own. Medical profes...
Dengue Trends in South India: A Five Years Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital
Introduction: Dengue is a fast emerging pandemicprone viral disease in many parts of the world, accounting for nearly 390 million cases across the globe each year while India shares the largest burden of these cases. In...