Protection by intratracheal immune globulins against Pseudomanas aeruginosa pneumonia in mice

A model for acute Pseudomonas pneumonia was established in mice with a mucoid, cystic fibrosis derived strain. Protection from pneumonia was achieved by intratracheal administration of hyperimmune globulins. The fate of intratracheal antibody was determined from lung lavage fluids and serum by a dot-ELISA test. Total and differential cellular changes in the lung were observed after immune globulin administration. Opsonophagocytosis assays with alveolar macrophages and PMNs elicited into the lungs showed that complement did not affect the bactericidal activities of either phagocyte. Conclusion: In mice, intratracheal administration of immune globulins against P. aeruginosa provided effective protection against acute pneumonia. The immediate availability of immune globulins in the lungs, and phagocytes are critical factors for clearance of the infecting dose of bacteria.