Local Immunity in Patients with Chronic Bronchitis and the Effects of a Bacterial Extract, Broncho-Vaxom^®, on T Lymphocytes, Macrophages, Gamma-Interferon and Secretory Immunoglobulin A in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid and Other Variables

Abstract

In 28 adult patients with nonobstructive chronic bronchitis we investigated components of the immune system of the lower airways and the effects of treatment with Broncho-Vaxom® (BV). An analysis of the washing from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) showed, in comparison with healthy controls, an elevation of total cell count (p = 0.003) as well as the Ig A/albumin values (p = 0.02) and a reduction of the macrophage activity (p < 0.001) in patients with chronic bronchitis. After BV a reduction in the total cell count (p = 0.05), an increase in the helper/suppressor T lymphocyte ratio (due mainly to the reduction in the suppressor cells; p = 0.04), a modulation of the IgA/albumin ratio, a stimulation of the impaired alveolar macrophage activity (p = 0.03) and increased concentrations of γ-interferon (p = 0.03) were found in the BAL fluid of patients with chronic bronchitis. The salivary IgA/albumin ratio remained unchanged, the serum IgE concentration fell (p = 0.02) and the urinary IgA concentration rose (p = 0.002). Bronchial mucosa lesions, evaluated endoscopically in terms of structural damage, hyperemia and mucus production, were improved (p < 0.01). These findings indicate that orally administered BV modulates disordered local and systemic immune functions in patients with chronic bronchitis

Biomarkers Induced by the Immunomodulatory Bacterial Extract OM-85: Unique Roles for Peyer’s Patches and Intestinal Epithelial Cells

“…This enzyme is present in the stomach and preferentially hydrolyses proteins in acidic conditions. The resistance of the bacterial extract to gastric buffer supports numerous studies showing evidence of immune modulation of the respiratory tract following oral administration of OM-85 [4,6,16,[26][27][28][29].…”

Oral immunization with bacterial extracts for protection against acute bronchitis in elderly institutionalized patients with chronic bronchitis

“…Experimental studies indicate that the compound has an immunopotentiating effect on both cellular and humoral responses [5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

“…Since adhesion molecules play a pivotal role in antibacterial defence [12], these results suggest that the clinical interest of OM-85 BV could be related to the upregulation of adhesion molecules induced by the bacterial extract. In patients with chronic bronchitis, EMMERICH et al [8] reported that the administration of OM-85 BV increases the helper/ suppressor T-lymphocyte ratio, improves alveolar macrophage activity, and increases the concentration of IFN-γ in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.…”

Prospective, randomized comparison of OM-85 BV and a prophylactic antibiotic in children with recurrent infections and immunoglobulin A and/or G subclass deficiency

“…Oral administration of OM-85 BV also led to enhanced salivary and lung IgA levels in humans. 29 Emmerich et al 30 reported that after treatment with OM-85 BV in adult patients with nonobstructive chronic bronchitis, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid CD4 ϩ /CD8 ϩ lymphocyte ratio and BAL interferon gamma levels were increased. Furthermore, alveolar macrophage activity normalized and the BAL fluid IgA level increased.…”

“…Several clinical studies 29,30 found that oral OM-85 BV therapy can locally modify nonspecific cellular defenses, but the ability to affect specific immune components, such as lymphocyte subsets and immunoglobulin, was controversial. Puigdollers et al 37 showed that OM-85 BV increased the levels of serum immunoglobulin and the level of IgA in saliva.…”