title: Multiplication of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis in Microtus agrestis (field vole).
abstract: The multiplication of bacteria is examined by quantitative culture from the organs of two groups of field voles injected intraperitoneally with a large dose of M. tuberculosis or a small dose of M. bovis and killed at intervals during a period of up to 3 months after the injection. M. tuberculosis given in a dose of 7 X 10(5) viable units did not multiply, or multiplied only to a small extent. None of the animals in the group died from tuberculosis and the macroscopical lesions found at autopsy were insignificant. In contrast, a dose of 14 viable units of M. bovis provoked generalized tuberculosis running a rapid, fatal course. The bacteria multiplied almost uninhibited throughout the course of the infection.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000382:microbiology*; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000254:growth & development*; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000254:growth & development*; D012377:Rodentia / Q000382:microbiology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000382:microbiology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000209:etiology