title: The effect of delipidated deglycolipidated (DDMV) and heat-killed Mycobacterium vaccae in asthma.
abstract: Experimental and epidemiological evidence supports the hypothesis that exposure to mycobacteria has the potential to suppress the development of asthma and/or atopy and there are reports in the Chinese medical literature of repeated vaccination with inactivated BCG being effective in the management of asthma. Forty-three patients with stable moderately severe asthma who were skin prick test positive to house dust mite were randomized to receive two intradermal injections of either phosphate-buffered saline (placebo), heat-killed Mycobacterium vaccae (0.5 mg), or delipidated deglycolipidated Mycobacterium vaccae (DDMV) (0.05 mg). Markers of asthma severity were measured for 3 mo and blood eosinophil, IgE levels, and the T cell proliferative and cytokine responses were monitored. There were no significant differences between either treatment group and the placebo group for any of the outcome variables. There was also no difference between the treatment groups and placebo for eosinophil, IgE levels, or the T cell proliferative and cytokine response. The results indicate no effect of low dose intradermal DDMV or M. vaccae on asthma severity in patients with established asthma.
authors.affiliation: Wellington Asthma Research Group, Department of Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine, Wellington South, New Zealand. pip@wnmeds.ac.nz
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Shirtcliffe
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Easthope
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weatherall
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Le Gros
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beasley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004391:Dust; D004804:Eosinophils; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000276:immunology*; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012882:Skin Tests; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods*; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D016207:Cytokines; D004391:Dust; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated; D007073:Immunoglobulin E