The bacterial extract OM-85 BV protects mice against influenza and Salmonella infection.

The bacterial extract OM-85 BV has been shown to provide protection against recurrent respiratory infections. We here investigated its efficacy against viral and bacterial infections in murine models. We first evaluated the role of OM-85 BV protecting from an A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) influenza virus infection. In a group treated with 1.75 mg/mouse OM-85 BV all animals survived, compared to 70% in the untreated control group and a group treated with a lower dosage. In addition, the appearance of clinical signs was delayed, their intensity was decreased, and they disappeared faster; also a marked increase in the influenza hemagglutination inhibition antibody level was observed. Since bacterial infections often superimpose viral lung infections, we also investigated on the protection of mice from a Salmonella typhimurium infection after the oral administration of OM-85 BV. Here, 100% of the OM-85 BV treated animals survived compared to 58% of the untreated control group. The mechanism of protection was further investigated: OM-85 BV acts, on the one hand, as an immunogen: the repeated administration of OM-85 BV induced a marked increase in serum antibody levels recognizing pathogenic bacterial strains. On the other hand, the extract acts as a stimulator of the nonspecific macrophage, monocyte, dendritic cell, and granulocyte response. Our findings demonstrate the antimicrobial activity of OM-85 BV against infections, as also has been shown in clinical studies. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.