1 Division of Immunology/Allergy, UCLA Center for the Health Sciences, Los Angeles, California 90024
Dr. G. A. Friday referred to one clinical study and one experimental study that support the use of mixed bacterial vaccines (MBV) in infections, asthma, and possibly in decreasing the incidence of Hemophilus influenzae meningitis.1 He quotes a study showing increased interferon production in mice given MBV.
Two recent papers suggest the MBV are ineffective. In a double-blind study, Rytel et al.2 could demonstrate no differences in cumulative respiratory illnesses, clinic visits, hospital admissions, or interferon levels in 51 adults given MBV compared to 44 controls.