Post-exposure immunization against Francisella tularensis membrane proteins augments protective efficacy of gentamicin in a mouse model of pneumonic tularemia.

ABSTRACT: Successful treatment of pneumonic infection with Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, requires rapid initiation of antibiotic therapy, yet even then treatment failures may occur. Consequently, new treatments are needed to enhance the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy for acute pneumonic tularemia. In a prior study, immunization with F. tularensis membrane protein fraction (MPF) antigens 3 days prior to challenge was reported to induce significant protection from inhalational challenge. We therefore hypothesized that MPF immunization might also be effective in enhancing infection control if combined with antibiotic therapy and administered after infection as post-exposure immunotherapy. To address this question, a 24h post-exposure treatment model of acute pulmonar

SUBMITTER: Sutherland MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3576924 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature