Protective effect of β-glucan against systemicStreptococcus pneumoniaeinfection in mice

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2000.tb01420.x
• Publication Date: 2006-01-10T08:06:07Z
• Authors: Geir Hetland; Naohito Ohno; Ingeborg S Aaberge; Martinus Løvik
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; beta-Glucans; Colony Count, Microbial; Bacteremia; Antibodies, Bacterial; Pneumococcal Infections; 3. Good health; Survival Rate; Mice; 03 medical and health sciences; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Animals; Humans; Female; Glucans

The antimicrobial effect of soluble beta-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.