title: Modulation of the immune response of Balb/c mice against Leishmania major by imuvert.
abstract: This study investigated the effect of Imuvert, a biological response modifier derived from Serratia marcescens, on the progression of Leishmania major infection in Balb/c mice. A single 100 micrograms Imuvert injection was significantly protective in Balb/c mice when challenged 28 days later in the footpad with 5 x 10(5) stationary phase L. major promastigotes. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) and intravenous (i.v.) immunization of mice with heat-killed stationary phase L. major promastigotes significantly reduced lesion development following challenge with L. major promastigotes. Subcutaneous (s.c.) immunization had no protective effect. A single 100 micrograms Imuvert injection significantly reduced lesion development in s.c. immunized mice, but had a lesser effect in mice immunized by i.p. and i.v. routes. Balb/c mice receiving four Imuvert injections 14, 7, 2 and 1 day prior to footpad challenge with L. major promastigotes were not protected, but rather displayed significant exacerbation of infection. Our results suggest the possibility that Imuvert could be useful in stimulating a protective response against L. major when given along with s.c. vaccine, a realistic route for vaccinating humans in contrast to either i.v. or i.p. routes. Since the protective response in Balb/c mice against L. major is dependent on the stimulation of Th1 cells, it is suggested that the observed adjuvant effect of Imuvert given with s.c. vaccine perhaps is due to changes in immunological responses in such a direction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Taha
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Tabbara
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001688:Biological Products; D005260:Female; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016233:Immunotherapy, Active; D018320:Leishmania major / Q000276:immunology*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D001688:Biological Products; D007155:Immunologic Factors; C062792:ImuVert; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines