Allergy immunotherapy with bacterial lysates as adjuvants.

Abstract

Background: The immune response is a complex phenomenon that involves the stimulation of cells, in at least two directions; one that leads to the proliferation of lymphocytes specialized in the synthesis and secretion of serum antibodies or immunoglobulins, responsible for humoral immunity, and the other that determines the appearance of cells capable of acting without the intervention of immunoglobulins. Objective: to review the bibliographic references with immunological adjuvants in the use of bacterial lysates as enhancers of the immune response. Methodology: we proceeded to a bibliographic review of specialized articles published in scientific databases such as Scielo, Redalyc and PubMed. Results: Not all adjuvants act in the same way, since some enhance the humoral immune response and others the cell-mediated one. Macrophages, T lymphocytes, and B lymphocytes are considered to be the cells involved in enhancing antigenicity. Conclusions: Immunity against bacterial infections is mediated by cellular and humoral mechanisms; where a microorganism must be considered as a true antigenic sac within which different antigens can be found and each one of them with immunogenic capacity and in conditions to trigger an immune response towards the production of antibodies. Components of BCG have been used in humans as immunostimulators, but not as immunotherapy against allergic diseases.