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Mycobacterium tuberculosis aerogenic rechallenge infections in B cell-deficient mice
C M Johnson1, A M Cooper, A A Frank
1Department of Microbiology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA.
Objective:
Use gene disrupted mice to examine the possible role of secretory antibody on resistance to re-exposure to pulmonary tuberculosis.
Design:
Mice deficient in B cells due to targeted gene disruption were infected by aerosol exposure with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A further set were identically exposed then given isoniazid to clear the infection and establish a state of memory immunity.
Results:
Control of the aerosol infection and generation of gamma interferon proceeded in a similar manner in both naive and memory immune mice, regardless of B cell deficiency.
Conclusions:
The absence of antibody responses did not affect the course of infection, thus confirming the classical literature that antibody plays no significant protective role.