Background: Neuronal injury in pneumococcal meningitis is a consequence of microglial activation and direct toxicity by bacterial products and systemic inflammation.
Methods: The treatment effect of the TEPC-15 antibody recognizing teichoic and lipoteichoic acids was investigated in murine microglial cells and in a rabbit model of pneumococcal meningitis.
Results: In vitro, the TEPC-15 antibody recognizing teichoic and lipoteichoic acids increased Streptococcus pneumoniae phagocytosis by murine microglial cells. In rabbit ceftriaxone-treated S. pneumoniae meningitis, intracisternal TEPC-15 reduced the density of apoptotic neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (116 ± 70 vs. 221 ± 132/mm(2); p = 0.03). Cerebrospinal fluid inflammatory parameters (protein, lactate, leukocytes, prostaglandins) were not reduced in TEPC-15-treated rabbits.
Conclusion: Intracisternal treatment with the TEPC-15 antibody reduced neuronal damage probably by promoting rapid phagocytosis of bacterial products.
Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.