T-lymphocyte response in a guinea pig model of tuberculous pleuritis.
The ability to induce tuberculous pleuritis in Mycobacterium bovis BCG-vaccinated guinea pigs was investigated as a model of human disease. A pleural effusion of 5 to 10 ml was obtained 6 to 7 days after the bilateral pleural injection of a suspension of heat-killed M. tuberculosis cells. Histological lesions were indicative of granulomatous pleuritis. Comparative studies of T lymphocytes obtained from pleural fluid and peripheral blood revealed increased antigen-driven lymphoproliferation and E rosette formation in pleural effusion lymphocytes. The CD2+ T-lymphocyte population appeared to be expanded or concentrated in pleural fluid, suggesting a compartmentalization of antigen-reactive T lymphocytes. These data demonstrate that experimental tuberculous pleuritis with effusion, closely resembling the human disease, can be produced in BCG-vaccinated guinea pigs.
Phalen
S W
SW
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station 77843.
McMurray
D N
DN
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000276:immunology; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014373:Tuberculin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014396:Tuberculosis, Pleural / Q000276:immunology*
D014373:Tuberculin