T cells do not mediate the initial suppression of a Salmonella infection in the RES

The course of a sublethal salmonella infection was followed in mice rendered susceptible by irradiation, reconstituted with T-cell-depleted bone marrow from normal donors and given a synergistic pool of CD4 and CD8 monoclonal antibodies. The results indicate that the host response causing the early plateau and suppression of bacterial growth at the end of the first week of the infection, which is essential for survival, does not require T cells.