[Immunity in listeriosis]

In this review modern concepts on the formation of specific immunity to listeriosis are presented. Numerous data indicate that in Listeria monocytogenes virulence and the capacity for inducing specific protection is ensured by the protein listeriolysin O. The importance of gamma-interferon, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 12 and other mediators in ensuring the differentiation of (CD4(+) T-cells into Th1-helpers and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes in animals infected with L. monocytogenes is described in detail. The safety and effective preparations for specific prophylaxis of listeriosis were not developed. Hopeful results have been obtained in experiments on the immunization of mice with killed bacteria with listeriolysin O or interleukin 12. Works describing the use of modified L. monocytogenes strains as vectors for the creation of vaccines against different infections seem to show good prospects.