The dynamics of infection following BCG and Mycobacterium tuberculosis challenge in T-cell-deficient mice.
The purpose of these experiments was to re-evaluate the usefulness of the thymectomized, irradiated, bone marrow reconstituted mouse (TXB mouse) as a model of the effect of immunodeficiency on resistance to mycobacterial infection. It was found that, although TXB mice had no resistance to intravenous infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, such mice were able to express moderate resistance to infection with the BCG vaccine, even when given in high doses. It is concluded, therefore, that rather than representing an animal devoid of immunological reactivity, the TXB mouse retains a residual capacity, albeit minimal, to express acquired immunity.
Orme
I M
IM
Department of Microbiology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007109:Immunity; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013934:Thymectomy; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology*