Fig. 1.

Oral cefuroxime increases the severity of actively induced EAE. Rats, four in each group, were injected with GpMBP/CFA to induce active EAE. Test rats were given cefuroxime in the drinking water; we dissolved one 500-mg tablet in 500 mL of drinking water to administer 50 mg/kg. Control rats were given orally the i.v. preparation of cefuroxime sodium that is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract (45); a second control group was given water without antibiotics. Rats given the oral cefuroxime preparation (cefuroxime axetil) showed significantly more severe EAE than the two control groups. Asterisks indicate significant (P < 0.05) changes between cefuroxime and control groups.