Mice were infected with influenza A virus by aerosol. Bronchoalveolar washings obtained from infected mice contained interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) activities. IL-1 was present at day 4 postinfection but not at day 7. TNF activity was present at day 4 and day 7 post-infection. The presence of both these monokines was coincident with increased cell populations in the lungs. In vitro studies demonstrated that macrophages from non-infected mice produce ILl and TNF activities in response to live influenza A virus stimulation. These results suggest that a direct interaction between virus and alveolar macrophages leads to IL-1 and TNF production during the course of infection and could account for both the immune responses and the pathology that occur during influenza A virus infection.

Telithromycin administered as repeated doses of 800 mg (recommended doses) or as single doses of up to 3 times this recommended dose did not increase the QT interval at any heart rate at rest and during effort. Telithromycin did not prolong QT-interval duration when administered to healthy young male and female subjects.

The potential efficacy of an antibacterial depends not only on its spectrum of activity but also on its concentration at the site of infection. The tissue kinetics of telithromycin-the first ketolide antibacterial-are reviewed here. Telithromycin accumulates rapidly in white blood cells, inflammatory fluid, and cells and tissues of the upper and lower respiratory tract, with mean concentrations above the MICs of key respiratory pathogens. Tissue kinetics of telithromycin support facilitated delivery to the site of infection, good efficacy against intracellular respiratory pathogens and respiratory pathogens at extracellular sites in the airways, and effectiveness in the treatment of upper and lower respiratory tract infections (RTIs). The tissue kinetics profile of telithromycin, together with its microbiological profile, makes it a promising new antibacterial for the treatment of community-acquired RTIs.

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The ability of differently structured, purified peptidoglycans (PG) to induce interleukin 1 (IL1) secretion was compared. PG from Bacillus megaterium and Staphylococcus aureus stimulated the production of IL1 by mouse peritoneal macrophages and human adherent mononuclear cells, whereas PG from Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Corynebacterium poinsettiae were inactive. There was a correlation between the ability of PG to induce IL1 secretion and previously demonstrated immunoenhancing activities (adjuvant effect, increase of resistance to tumor growth) of PG. PG solubilization by lysozyme decreased but did not abolish the PG effect on IL1 secretion. Active PG induced IL1 production in nude mice and in the C3H/HeJ strain (which is unresponsive to lipopolysaccharides).