Immunotherapy and cytokines

Immunomodulation is now possible in veterinary medicine with the licensure of a number of biological products by the United States Department of Agriculture for veterinary use. These products activate primarily macrophages, induce the production of cytokines, and have various effects on the activity and proliferation of B and T lymphocytes. Those products most commonly used are inactivated whole bacteria of Propionibacterium acnes, cell wall fractions of nonpathogenic Mycobacterium spp, and the lysate derived from lysis of Staphylococcus aureus by a bacterial phage. All products have been licensed for use against specific diseases, but the literature includes studies for off-label usage. These immunomodulators are considered to be nonspecific stimulators of the immune system and may affect both humoral and cellular functions of immunity. Copyright © 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.