Immunostimulation by bacterial components: II. Efficacy studies and meta-analysis of the bacterial extract OM-89

Abstract The bacterial extract OM-89 (Uro-Vaxom®) consisting of immunostimulating components derived from 18 Escherichia coli strains is used for the treatment of recurrent urinary tract infections. We investigated in the mouse the immunogenicity of the bacterial extract after oral administration. After repeated administration of OM-89, a specific serum IgG and IgA response against a number of bacterial strains was obtained. Supernatants of cell cultures prepared from the urogenital tract of immunized mice also contained increased levels of strain specific IgG and IgA. We could show a bias towards a Th1 type immune response as indicated by increased IgG2a levels in sera, and increased IFNγ levels in supernatants of spleen cells. These findings may contribute to an understanding of the therapeutic effect of Uro-Vaxom®: the metaanalysis of several clinical studies confirmed that Uro-Vaxom® constitutes an effective prophylaxis for urinary tract infections.