Protection activity induced by the bacterial vaccine, heat-killed Clostridium butyricum against Candida albicans infections in mice.

Abstract

The bacterial vaccine, heat-killed Clostridium butyricum exhibits various immunomodulating activities including a strong protection activity against Candida albicans infection in mice. The analyses of immunomodulating activities induced by the vaccine showed that the vaccine stimulated macrophage and natural killer cell activity. Stimulation of delayed type hypersensitivity, IgM antibody formation and induction of γ-type interferon were observed. The vaccine was also mitogenic for B-cell lymphocytes. Among these immunomodulating activities, interferon was considered to be one of the important factors in the manifestation of in vivo anti-candida activity. Futrher studies using recombinant interferon (IFNa-A/D type interferon) confirmed the active role of interferon in the manifestation of the protection. The interferon production by the vaccine was also found to be dependent on the mouse strain used and was most active in DDY mice.