Anti-tumor necrosis factor antibodies inhibit the influx of granulocytes and monocytes into an inflammatory exudate and enhance the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in various organs.

This study concerns the effect of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antibodies on the course of a sterile inflammatory reaction in the peritoneum and a generalized infection with gram-positive bacteria. Mice received an intravenous injection of rabbit anti-TNF serum or normal rabbit serum 24 h before an intraperitoneal injection of heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes or an intramuscular injection of live L. monocytogenes. The course of the leukocytes in blood and the peritoneal cavity was followed for 72 h; the infection was evaluated for 144 h. The results lead to the conclusion that anti-TNF inhibits the migration of granulocytes and monocytes from bone marrow to the circulation and from the circulation to the peritoneal cavity during an acute inflammation. Furthermore, treatment of mice with anti-TNF serum enhanced the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in thigh muscle, liver, and spleen. The results of this study indicate that treatment with anti-TNF antibodies can inhibit the development of a cellular inflammatory exudate and can have a deleterious effect on the course of an infection with gram-positive bacteria.