Role of gamma interferon in a neonatal mouse model of group B streptococcal disease.
The aim of this study was to assess the role of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) in a neonatal mouse model of group B streptococcal (GBS) sepsis. IFN-gamma was produced by spleen cells at 24, 48, and 72 h after GBS challenge. Treatment with anti-IFN-gamma at 6 h before challenge totally abrogated the IFN-gamma response but did not affect survival. Subcutaneous administration of recombinant IFN-gamma (2,500 IU per pup) at 18 h after challenge resulted in increased survival time and reduced blood colony counts at 48 and 72 h. In vitro preincubation of neonatal whole blood with IFN-gamma before the addition of GBS resulted in significant restriction of bacterial growth. These data indicate that administration of recombinant IFN-gamma can partially restore impaired host defenses against GBS in neonatal mice. This cytokine may be useful for the treatment of neonatal infections.
Cusumano
V
V
Instituto di Microbiologia, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirugia, Universitadegli Studi di Messina, Italy.
Mancuso
G
G
Genovese
F
F
Delfino
D
D
Beninati
C
C
Losi
E
E
Teti
G
G
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000187:drug effects; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma