The effect of delipidated deglycolipidated (DDMV) and heat-killed Mycobacterium vaccae in asthma

Experimental and epidemiological evidence supports the hypothesis that expo sure to mycobacteria has the potential to suppress the development of asthm a and/or atopy and there are reports in the Chinese medical literature of r epeated vaccination with inactivated BCG being effective in the management of asthma. Forty-three patients with stable moderately severe asthma who we re skin prick test positive to house dust mite were randomized to receive t wo intradermal injections of either phosphate-buffered saline (placebo), he at-killed Mycobacterium vaccae (0.5 mg), or delipidated deglycolipidated My cobacterium vaccae (DDMV) (0.05 mg). Markers of asthma severity were measur ed for 3 mo and blood eosinophil, IgE levels, and the T cell proliferative and cytokine responses were monitored. There were no significant difference s between either treatment group and the placebo group for any of the outco me variables. There was also no difference between the treatment groups and placebo for eosinophil, IgE levels, or the T cell proliferative and cytoki ne response. The results indicate no effect of low dose intradermal DDMV or M. vaccae on asthma severity in patients with established asthma.