Strain dependent variation of delayed-type hypersensitivity in Salmonella typhimurium infected mice

Inherently hypersusceptible C3H/HeJ and C3HeB/FeJ mice show increased resistance to challenge with virulent S. typhimurium after immunization with a live, avirulent S. typhimurium mutant in the absence of a delayed-type hypersensitivity response, while innately resistant C3H/HeNCr1BR and CD-1 mice show both immunity and positive footpad reactions after immunization. Understanding the mechanism for this specific anergy in the hypersusceptible strains may provide clues for understanding the immune defect that causes these mice to be so exquisitely susceptible to Salmonella infection.