Abstract
Metronidazole (MTZ) is a nitroimidazole antibiotic used mainly for the treatment of infections caused by susceptible organisms, particularly anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. Distinct from its antibiotic, amoebicidal, and antiprotozoal effects, MTZ displays immunopharmacological behaviour. This review outlines multiple effects of MTZ on different aspects of immunity, including innate and acquired immunity, and also highlights the immunopharmacological behaviour of MTZ in terms of its relevance to inflammation, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and graft versus host disease (GVHD).
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Adaptive Immunity / drug effects
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Animals
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
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Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
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Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use
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Graft vs Host Disease / drug therapy
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Humans
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Hypersensitivity, Delayed / immunology
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Immunity / drug effects*
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Immunity, Cellular / drug effects
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Immunity, Humoral / drug effects
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Immunity, Innate / drug effects
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Immunosuppressive Agents*
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Inflammation / pathology
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Macrophages / drug effects
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Metronidazole / pharmacology*
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Neutrophils / drug effects*
Substances
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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Anti-Infective Agents
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Antiprotozoal Agents
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Immunosuppressive Agents
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Metronidazole