Open AccessProtective effect of β‐glucan against systemic Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in mice
Author(s) -
Hetland Geir,
Ohno Naohito,
Aaberge Ingeborg S,
Løvik Martinus
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2000.tb01420.x
Subject(s) - streptococcus pneumoniae , biology , pneumococcal infections , microbiology and biotechnology , antimicrobial , serotype , glucan , immunology , antibiotics , biochemistry
The antimicrobial effect of soluble β‐1,3‐ d ‐glucan from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (SSG) was examined in mice experimentally infected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 4 and 6B. SSG was administered i.p. either 3 days before challenge or 3–48 h after challenge. The number of bacteria in blood samples and the mouse survival rates were recorded. Pre‐challenge SSG administration protected dose‐dependently against both S. pneumoniae type 4 and 6B infections. SSG injected 24 h post‐challenge had a curative effect against type 6B but not type 4 pneumococcal infection. The data demonstrate that SSG administered systemically protects against pneumococcal infection in mice.