[Gamma-interferon and the antibacterial activity of mouse macrophages in a Salmonella infection]

The influence of natural and recombinant mouse gamma-interferon (gamma-IF) on Salmonella typhimurium was experimentally studied. The preparations of gamma-IF were introduced into animals in a dose of 250 units per mouse according to different schedules before and after Salmonella inoculation. In these experiments the capacity of the animals for survival, the elimination of the infective agent from the body and the functional activity of peritoneal exudate macrophages were studied. Natural and recombinant gamma-IF was found to stimulate the ingestion activity and oxidizing metabolism of macrophages of the infected animals. At the same time the preparations of gamma-IF were not capable of enhancing the intracellular killing of salmonellae and tumor cells. Recombinant gamma-IF did not prevent the lethal outcome of S. typhimurium infection in mice and did not increase the elimination of the infective agent from the body. Natural gamma-IF, when introduced into mice in a dose of 250 units per mouse on days 1, 3 and 6 after Salmonella inoculation, ensured the survival rate of more than 80% of the animals, but did not essentially influence the dynamics of the elimination of the infective agent from the host body.