Host Resistance to Listeria monocytogenes Infection Is Enhanced but Resistance to Staphylococcus aureus Infection Is Reduced in Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease in Mice

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is characterized by the production of high levels of T helper 1 (Th1)-type cytokines. Bone marrow transplantation from allogeneic C57BL/6 cells to CBF(1) mice produced acute GVHD. Host resistance to Th1-driven Listeria monocytogenes was enhanced, whereas host resistance to Th2-driven Staphylococcus aureus was reduced during acute GVHD. These results suggest that opposite host responses are observed between Th1-driven and Th2-driven bacterial infections in acute GVHD.