The effect of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis

Objective: To develop an allergic rhinitis model via local sensitization of mice with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and to use the model to investigate the antiallergic effect of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). Methods: BALB/c mice were randomized to the allergic rhinitis group, the BCG group sensitized with D pteronyssinus via local sensitization for 7 weeks, or the control group. The BCG group received 1 × 10⁵ colony-forming unit/mL of BCG seven times. We evaluated symptoms, nasal mucosa eosinophilia, serum total IgE, cytokines, and eosinophilia in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Results: In the allergic rhinitis group, allergy symptoms (P < 0.001), eosinophil count (P < 0.001), total IgE (P < 0.001), inflammatory cells (P < 0.01), and IL-13 (P = 0.046) increased and interferon γ (IFN-γ) (P < 0.001) decreased compared with the control group. In the BCG group, allergy symptoms (P < 0.001), eosinophil count (P < 0.001), and inflammatory cells (P < 0.01) decreased and IFN-γ (P = 0.031) increased compared with the allergic rhinitis group. Conclusion: In an allergic rhinitis animal model developed via local sensitization of mice with D pteronyssinus, BCG was shown to exhibit an antiallergic effect.