THE TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS WITH OM-8930, A BACTERIAL IMMUNOSTIMULATING AGENT

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 40  (5) , 228-231
Abstract
OM 8930, a bacterial product prepared from 18 Escherichia coli strains with immunostimulatory capacities, was studied for its efficacy in the long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients (10) with active seropositive RA were treated intermittently for 6 mo. with the agent and were evaluated according to clinical, laboratory and immunological parameters. OM-8930 was effective in reducing arthritic activity in RA. It is slow acting without any antiinflammatory capacities and resembles other slow acting agents like levamisol, penicillamine, etc. OM-8930 provoked a long-lasting immunological stimulation allowing a normalization of lymphocyte counts, increasing the number of active T-cells and enhancing lymphocyte mitogenic response. No adverse clinical-laboratory reactions were recorded, indicating that the agent is probably suitable for long-term use in humans.

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