Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 21, 2025

In Vivo Augmentation of Gut-Homing Regulatory T Cell Induction
08:02

In Vivo Augmentation of Gut-Homing Regulatory T Cell Induction

Published on: January 22, 2020

5.8K

What Can Go Wrong When Applying Immune Modulation Therapies to Target Persistent Bacterial Infections

Sofiya Micheva-Viteva1, Elizabeth Hong-Geller1

  • 1Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.

Journal of Cellular Immunology
|May 13, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) may help clear persistent bacterial infections by boosting the immune system. However, immune modulation therapies require careful consideration of host-pathogen interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Antibiotics often fail to eradicate pathogens, leading to persistent infections and disease recurrence.
  • Bacterial persister cells, not necessarily drug-resistant, survive antibiotics and host immunity.
  • Chronic infections involve complex pathogen adaptations and host immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of high-dose vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) in clearing chronic bacterial infections.
  • To evaluate nicotinamide as an immune prophylactic treatment against *Burkholderia pseudomallei*.
  • To highlight the risks and need for tailored immune modulation therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental studies using murine models of chronic infection.
  • Administration of mega-doses of vitamin B3 (nicotinamide).
  • Assessment of immune clearance and prophylactic effects against *Burkholderia pseudomallei*.

Main Results:

  • Discusses various outcomes from experimental studies using nicotinamide in murine models.
  • Nicotinamide was tested for immune clearance and prophylactic treatment.
  • Highlights variance in host immune responses to pathogens.

Conclusions:

  • Supplemental therapies, like vitamin B3, may enhance antibiotic efficacy and immune clearance of persistent pathogens.
  • Immune modulation therapies require careful tailoring to specific host-pathogen interactions.
  • Awareness of risks associated with immune modulation is crucial for effective infectious disease management.
Keywords:
Antibiotic toleranceChronic bacterial infectionsImmune modulation

More Related Videos

Growing a Cystic Fibrosis-Relevant Polymicrobial Biofilm to Probe Community Phenotypes03:53

Growing a Cystic Fibrosis-Relevant Polymicrobial Biofilm to Probe Community Phenotypes

Published on: April 19, 2024

970
Regulatory T cells: Therapeutic Potential for Treating Transplant Rejection and Type I Diabetes16:26

Regulatory T cells: Therapeutic Potential for Treating Transplant Rejection and Type I Diabetes

Published on: August 20, 2007

6.1K

Related Concept Videos

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
2.5K
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
832
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...
381
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Overview
83.0K
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management01:29

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management

Upon diagnosis, managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves addressing several crucial aspects. The primary goals include resting the bowel, correcting malnutrition, and providing symptomatic relief. Resting the bowel may consist of medications to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Correcting malnutrition is essential, often requiring dietary adjustments and nutritional supplements. Symptomatic relief aims to ease pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts in IBD.
Pharmacologic...
372
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
13.1K