Reactivity and protective capacity of a polyclonal antiserum derived from mice immunized with antibiotic exposed Escherichia coli

• Published in: Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy 1993-01, Vol.31 (1), p.117-128
• Main Authors: Raponi, Giammarco, Teresa, Lun Maria, Giulia, Lorino, Nazzari, Cristina, Geeta, Aurelia, Mancini, Carlo, Filadoro, Francesco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Aztreonam - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; Escherichia coli - drug effects; Escherichia coli - immunology; Escherichia coli Infections - prevention & control; Immune Sera - immunology; Immunization, Passive; Medical sciences; Mice; Miscellaneous (drug allergy, mutagens, teratogens...); Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Premedication
• ISSN: 0305-7453; 1460-2091
• DOI: 10.1093/jac/31.1.117

The murine immune response to Escherichia coli O6: K — alone or pre-exposed to 0·1 × MIC of aztreonam was investigated. Relative to mice immunized with untreated bacteria, mice immunized with antibiotic-treated microorganisms presented a significantly enhanced protection towards a challenge of 100 × LD50 of viable E. coli O6:K—. Previous injection of 0·1 mL of serum drawn from mice immunized with treated and untreated bacteria protected non-immunized mice towards a challenge of 10 × LD50 of viable E. coli O6: K—. Serum from mice immunized with treated bacteria also protected non-immunized mice towards a lethal challenge of E. coli O111. The antiserum contained high titre of IgG antibodies that cross-reacted with lipopolysaccharide isolated from smooth and rough Gram-negative bacteria. Immunoblotting showed additional bands of reactivity to the untreated E. coli O6: K—. Immunization with antibiotic-treated bacteria led to the production of type specific and cross reactive antibodies that protected animals against viable homologous and heterologous lethal challenges.