title: [Response of the body to tuberculous infection].
abstract: After a summary of the aspecific defensive host mechanisms against bacteria, Author examines the granulocytes structure containing A and B granules, and he observes that phagocytosis is different in extension and in significance into granulocytes or into macrophages. Particularly, M. tuberculosis can survive and multiply into macrophages. This fact can explain the further pathologic tubercular manifestations, that morphologically are dominated by granulomas forming. Activated macrophages are important in granulomas forming, but also the rôle of a specific response needs be considered. From an attentive investigation of recent literature, we can demonstrate that T lymphocytes are the main defending agents against M. tuberculosis, through interaction with macrophages. This picture is a step forward to understand the antitubercular defensive mechanisms and it is a useful acquisition also in clinical practice.
mesh_terms: D002450:Cell Communication; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000201:enzymology; D006099:Granuloma / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D009113:Muramidase / Q000378:metabolism; D010587:Phagocytosis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000276:immunology*; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D009113:Muramidase
vernacular_title: La risposta organica alla infezione tubercolare.