A new concept in prophylaxis and therapy: paramunization by poxvirus inducers1

Mayr A. & Mayr B. 1999. A new concept in prophylaxis and therapy: paramunization by poxvirus inducers. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 19(3/4):91-98. Lehrstuhl für Mikrobiologie und Seuchenlehre der Tierärztlichen Fakultät der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Veterinärstraße 13, D-80539 München, Germany. The so-called primitive, innate or paraspecific immune system is the phylogenetically older part of the complex immune system. It enables the organism to immediately attack various foreign substances, infectious pathogens, toxins and transformed cells of the organism itself. „Paramunity“ is defined as an optimal regulated and activated, antigen-nonspecific defence, acquired through continuous active and succesful confrontation with endogenous and exogenous noxes or by means of „paramunization“ with so called „paramunity inducers“. Paramunity inducers based on different pox virus species (e.g. BaypamunÒ , DuphapindÒ , Conpind) have turned out to be effective and safe when applied with human beings as well as with animals. Pox virus inducers activate phagocytosis and NK-cells in addition to regulation of various cytokines, notably interferon a and g, IL 1, 2, CSF and TNF which comprise the network of the complex paraspecific immune system. The results of experimental work as well as practical use in veterinary medicine have shown that paramunization by pox inducers goes far beyond the common understanding of so-called „immuno-therapy“. They are „bioregulators“, because they have 1. a regulatory effect on a disturbed immune system in the sense of an optimal homoeostasis, and 2. simultaneously a regulatory effect between the immune, nervous, circulatory and hormone system. Therefore, the use of paramunization by pox inducers opens a new way of prophylaxis and therapy, not only with regard to infections, but also with regard to different other indications.