title: Decreased resistance to mycobacterial infection in mice fed a trichothecene compound (T-2 toxin).
abstract: The effect of T-2 toxin, a trichothecene compound, on bacterial infection was examined in mice infected intravenously with mycobacteria. T-2 toxin dissolved in olive oil was given orally in a dose of 0.1 mg, six to 12 times, at various stages of infection. The resistance-decreasing effect of the toxin was judged by two different criteria, the mouse survival period and the fate of tissue viable counts. This effect was accompanied by a decreased spleen weight. T-2 toxin was found to be a more potent immunosuppressing agent in this model than 5 mg of cortisone given intraperitoneally according to a similar schedule. In view of these observations, the potential importance of this mycotoxin was considered in relation to food hygiene.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000276:immunology; D001835:Body Weight; D003348:Cortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000382:microbiology; D013605:T-2 Toxin / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001500:BCG Vaccine; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D013605:T-2 Toxin; D003348:Cortisone