Potentiation by nonspecific immunostimulation of the efficacy of antibiotics in the treatment of experimental bacterial infections.

In the present investigation, mouse infection models with either intracellular or extracellular bacteria were designed in order to assess the effect of nonspecific immunostimulation with the C. granulosum-derived P40 immunomodulator on infection treatment, performed with doses of antibiotics achieving a low percentage of cures. The results obtained showed that nonspecific immunostimulation was able to significantly enhance antibiotic therapy efficacy. In addition, combined treatments of bacterial infections should allow for a reduction in dosages of antibiotics while at the same time, achieving increased efficacy. Possible mechanisms for the potentiating effect of nonspecific immunostimulation on antibiotic therapy effectiveness are discussed.