Immunotherapy using polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies can be used to opsonize bacteria (which makes them more susceptible to phagocytosis) or inhibit virulence factors. Another type of immunotherapy uses immune adjuvants such as interleukin-7 to boost the host's adaptive immunity to attack the pathogen. This type of therapy may be particularly beneficial for patients that are immune suppressed due to sepsis.
Liposome-based cytotoxin inhibitors are being investigated as a decoy to absorb the bacterial cytotoxin which in turn would protect the human cells from injury. This would be beneficial for the treatment of Corynebacterium species that produce exotoxins such as C. diphtheriae, C. ulcerans, and C. pseudotuberculosis.
44. Seeliger, Heinz. "Phagocytized gram positive rods: This photomicrograph depicted two white blood cells (WBCs), or leukocytes, that were found in a peritoneal fluid sample..." CDC Public Health Image Library (PHIL). Public domain. 1965. Accessed July 28, 2023. https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=21008
