Effects of moxibustion on the enhancement of serum antibody in rabbit against Staphylococcus aureus.

ABSTRACT

The titer and activity of antibody in rabbits immunized with heat-killed vaccine were assessed with and without moxibustion treatment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied for the detection of immunoglobulins to Smith strain of Staphylococcus aureus. Positive IgM titer of more than 0.4 were observed with this assay against the moxibustion group (P < 0.05). The titer of IgG antibody also increased; however, there was no significant difference between the moxibustion group and the control group. The ELISA inhibition test showed significantly higher protective activity of the sera in the moxibustion group at the 9th week after the first immunization (P < 0.05).