RESUMO
In a series of studies in SPF and conventional guinea pigs, various adjuvants (larifan, polyoxidonium-PO, natrium thiosulphate-NT, TNF-ß and Ribi adjuvant system-RAS) were evaluated for their ability to enhance immune responses to the live brucellosis vaccine, Brucella abortus strain 82-PS (penicillin-sensitive). Combining adjuvants with S82-PS increased synthesis of antibodies against rough (R) and smooth (S) Brucella antigens. Dynamics and levels of antibodies differed dependent upon the adjuvant. Adjuvants enhanced cell-mediated responses to S82-PS, and phagocytosis by macrophages. Humoral and cellular immune responses stimulated by the adjuvants correlated with increased vaccine protection against experimental challenge. The highest protection was demonstrated by combining TNF-ß or PO with S82-PS. Our data demonstrates the potential of adjuvants to improve immunogenic properties of live brucellosis vaccines.