ADJUVANTICITY OF LACTOBACILLI .1. DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF VIABLE AND KILLED BACTERIA

Authors:
  • NBN Bloksma
    N Bloksma
  • EHE De Heer
    E De Heer
  • HDH Van Dijk
    H Van Dijk
  • JWJ M Willers
    J M Willers
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  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
Abstract
The adjuvanticity of Lactobacillus brevis and L. plantarum was the subject of this study. The latter was the better adjuvant in [mouse] delayed hypersensitivity and antibody formation to sheep red blood cells. Viable L. plantarum stimulated exclusively the delayed hypersensitivity, where heat-killed bacteria had an adjuvant effect on antibody formation. For optimal adjuvant effects lactobacilli had to be injected in a dose of 108 into the same site as the antigen. Viable lactobacilli and to a lesser degree heat-killed bacteria induce hepato-splenomegaly, suggesting mediation of the adjuvant activity by the RES. Granuloma formation with mainly mononuclear cell infiltrates could be observed after s.c. administration of viable lactobacilli whereas heat-killed lactobacilli induced granulomata containing about equal numbers of granulocytes and mononuclear cells. The possible clinical application of L. plantarum in the immunotherapy of tumors is suggested.

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