Oral Immunization with Polyvalent Bacterial Lysate and Infection with <i>Streptococcus</i> <i>pneumoniae</i>: Influence on Interferon-Gamma and PMN Elastase Concentrations in Murine Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid

We recently demonstrated that oral immunization with a polyvalent bacterial lysate (Paspat oral) significantly reduces mortality rates in mice, infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae or influenza A virus. In this study it is demonstrated that oral immunization with the same bacterial lysate reduces the intrapulmonary inflammatory reaction to infection with S. pneumoniae, assessed by measurement of PMN elastase in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that oral immunization with Paspat oral increases intrapulmonary IFN-gamma concentrations.