Influence of clindamycin on fibronectin-staphylococcal interactions

This report examines the effects of subinhibitory concentrations of clindamycin on fibronectin-staphylococcal interactions. Using in-vitro binding assays, exposure of staphylococci to subinhibitory concentrations of clindamycin results in a dose-dependent decrease in fibronectin's ability to bind to treated organisms. Concomitant with decreased fibronectin binding is a decreased ability for fibronectin to mediate the phagocytosis of treated organisms by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Serum-mediated phagocytosis of clindamycin-treated organisms remained effective despite the reduction in fibronectin binding capabilities. These results suggest that the clinical use of clindamycin has the potential to affect bacterial binding of fibronectin, thus modifying the adherence of organisms to host surfaces without adversely effecting their clearance by the reticuloendothelial system.