title: Nonspecific enhancement of host defenses against infection: experimental evidence of a new order of efficacy and safety.
abstract: Enhancement of nonspecific host defenses against bacterial challenge has been a long-standing goal often thwarted by variable efficacy, inconsistent bioassay, and paradoxic immunosuppression. Muramyl dipeptide provides enhanced survival after intravenous challenge with less than 8 x 10(3) Klebsiella, as well as improved local control of infection at sites of intramuscular bacterial injection, with and without a surgical foreign body. No depression of host response was seen over wide ranges of doses and intervals. Muramyl dipeptide provides a new order of efficacy and safety and warrants continued careful assessment.
mesh_terms: D000119:Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D006020:Glycopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007710:Klebsiella Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D013537:Sutures
chemical_list: D006020:Glycopeptides; D000119:Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine