Antimycoplasmal activity of dimethylphenols in a tracheal explant culture system.

Abstract

Mycoplasma pneumoniae induces pneumonia-like symptoms in hamsters and causes ciliostasis and cytonecrosis in hamster tracheal explants. 2,4-Dimethylphenol and, to a lesser extent, its 2,3-, 2,5-, and 2,6-dimethylphenol isomers protected tracheal explants from these changes after exposure to virulent M. pneumoniae strain PI 1428. The effect was concentration, time, and isomer dependent. At concentrations of 10(-9) M or greater, 2,4-dimethylphenol completely prevented the morphological (loss of ciliated cells) and biochemical (decreased dehydrogenase activity) changes normally observed after exposure to M. pneumoniae. Apparently, 2,4-dimethylphenol interfered with an early event in the infection process. Complete protection required that it be present during the first 2 h of exposure of the explants to the infecting mycoplasmas. These xylenols may prove to be useful tools for helping to define the mechanisms of pathogenesis in certain respiratory infections.

• Authors: C C Agee, J A Engelhardt, M G Gabridge
• Journal: Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy (Antimicrob Agents Chemother) Vol. 18 Issue 2 Pg. 243-8 (Aug 1980) ISSN: 0066-4804 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6778378 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Phenols
• Xylenes
• 2,4-dimethylphenol

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (pharmacology, toxicity)
• Cricetinae
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae (drug effects)
• Organ Culture Techniques
• Phenols (pharmacology, toxicity)
• Pneumonia, Mycoplasma (drug therapy, pathology)
• Stereoisomerism
• Structure-Activity Relationship
• Tracheal Diseases (drug therapy)
• Xylenes