Intrathecal Treatment with the Anti-Phosphorylcholine Monoclonal Antibody TEPC-15 Decreases Neuronal Damage in Experimental Pneumococcal Meningitis

Background: Neuronal injury in pneumococcal meningitis is a consequence of microglial activation and direct toxicity by bacterial products and systemic inflammation. Methods: The treatment effect of the TEPC-15 antibody recognizing teichoic and lipoteichoic acids was investigated in murine microglial cells and in a rabbit model of pneumococcal meningitis. Results: In vitro, the TEPC-15 antibody recognizing teichoic and lipoteichoic acids increased Streptococcus pneumoniae phagocytosis by murine microglial cells. In rabbit ceftriaxone-treated S. pneumoniae meningitis, intracisternal TEPC-15 reduced the density of apoptotic neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (116 +/- 70 vs. 221 +/- 132/mm(2); p = 0.03). Cerebrospinal fluid inflammatory parameters (protein, lactate, leukocytes, prostaglandins) were not reduced in TEPC-15-treated rabbits. Conclusion: Intracisternal treatment with the TEPC-15 antibody reduced neuronal damage probably by promoting rapid phagocytosis of bacterial products. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel