Hi nomemory this probably doesn't apply to you but I thought you would find this interesting.

Purified bacterial extract sprayed into lungs ramps up innate immune system


Public release date: 3-Dec-2007
Purified bacterial extract sprayed into lungs ramps up innate immune
system
EurekAlert (press release) - Washington,DC*
Contact: John Fleischman
jfleischman@...
513-929-4635

American Society for Cell Biology
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-12/asfc-pbe102407.php

Providing powerful protection from inhaled deadly pathogens

Washington, D.C. -- A purified extract prepared from a common
microbe and delivered to the lungs of laboratory mice in a spray set
off a healthy immune response and provided powerful protection
against all four major classes of pathogens including those
responsible for anthrax and bubonic plague, according to a
presentation at the American Society for Cell Biology's 47th Annual
Meeting.

In addition, when the researchers exposed another group of mice to
an aerosol of live Streptococcus pneumoniae, the only animals that
survived were the ones that had been pre-treated with the spray. A
total of 83 percent of these mice survived. None of the untreated
animals lived.

The researchers at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston
developed the spray from a purified extract of the common
coccobacillus named Haemophilus influenzae, the cause of ear and
sinus infections in human children.

Their "aerosolized lung innate immune stimulant," as the scientists
have named the spray treatment, could benefit immune-compromised
patients with cancer, HIV or other diseases as well as emergency
workers and the general public facing uncommon threats like an
aerosolized bioterror attack or a spreading respiratory epidemic.

According to Brenton Scott who with his postdoctoral advisor, Burton
Dickey, developed the spray, the treatment works best if
administered four to 24 hours before exposure. Nearly all mice
survived when treated before exposure to lethal doses of anthrax,
influenza, and the dangerous mold, Aspergillus. But, the treatment
also has some benefit when given after exposure. Effectiveness
declines over time but seems to last up to five days after a single
dose.

The researchers report that protection by stimulant is associated
with rapid pathogen killing in the airways, does not depend on
recruitment of other immune defense cells such as neutrophils, and
correlates with increased levels of antimicrobial polypeptides in
the lung lining fluid. The host response is localized to the
airways, and safety studies indicate that the treatment causes
minimal side effects, even with repeated doses.

Preclinical testing is being completed, and clinical trials are
being designed.

In tests on mice, the stimulant was protective against all four
major classes of pathogens (Gram-positive and Gram-negative
bacteria, fungi, and viruses), including the Class A bioterror
agents Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), F. tularensis (tularemia) and
Yersinia pestis (bubonic plague).


###
Paper, Stimulation of Lung Innate Immunity Protects Against a Broad
Range of Infectious Microbes, will be presented at: 12 noon to 1:30
p.m., Monday, Dec. 3

For more information:

Brenton L. Scott
bscott@...
(713) 563-0425

ASCB meeting press office:

John Fleischman, ASCB science writer:
jfleischman@... or (513) 929-4635

or

Cathy Yarbrough, ASCB meeting information officer:
cyarbrough@... or (858) 243-1814

Thanks. I'll look up the references tomorrow. Appreciate it.

When I found this I thought it was really interesting. Do you think this could help mold exposed people get well and also protect them at the same time?

Was thinking about ppl effected by mold. The peptides business is something I will look at closely. Often peptides overdo a PWC's immune system. But that's not the only possibility from what you list. Will check it out tom.

I've had this several times. It's no joke. The pain is real. It sent me to the hospital, as you said. Thought I was having a heart attack. The actual physical "thing" the health care provider did to prove it wasn't my heart,(since ECG and echo were normal) was push, hard on my sternum. OUCH! She could replicate the pain. That was the beginning of the hot baths, the Ibuprofen and the healing. A physician's assistant figured this out. It went past four doctors quite busy scratching their heads.
Glad this young lady was on the ball!
I am not advocating that chest pain should be dealt with in the bathtub with a bottle of NSAIDS. Dial 911. But if it turns out to be costrocondritis, the next time, you'll recognize the pain and know what to do!

hi there,
i've also had it several times
and had to be taken by Mica ambulance to hospital. i was transferred to the heart ward for a couple of days while they figured it out.
i had crushing chest pain pain in my chest and pain between my shoulder blades,radiating to my jaw, down my left arm to my little finger.i also had pins and needles in my left arm, tachycardia, heart palpitations and shortness of breath.they said it wasn't a heart attack but i was to ring straight away for an ambulance if it happened again to be sure, because it mimicked the same symptoms.
i now have only a 59 per cent lung capacity since the first episode.

i have had this happen to me off and on for the past 15 years! the dr finally said that it was my heart muscle. he said that the heart is a muscle and was having bad spasms, gave me 12 mil.. of morphine and sent me home....that was the first time. since then, it has happened several times again. he said to call 911 if it happens again because it could be a heart attack next time. you are the only other people i have found that have had something like this happen to them. thanks for the info.

I have had this too but it was prior to having CFS like symptoms. I have only had it once but it was horribly painful!