Differences in delayed-type hypersensitivity responses in various mouse strains in the C3H lineage infected with...

Immunization with a virulent Salmonella typhimurium, strain SL3235, has been found to provide high levels of protection against challenge with virulent Salmonella in hypersusceptible mouse strains in the C3H lineage. These mouse strains include the lipopolysaccharide-hyporesponsive C3/HeJ mouse and the closely related but lipopolysaccharide-responsive C3HeB/FeJ mouse. To assess the role of cellular immunity in the protection elicited by this attentuated organism, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) was measured in these mouse strains and in inherently resistant mice. Of the mouse strains tested, only the inherently resistant CD-1 and C3H/HeNCrlBR mice developed significant DTH responses, as assessed by footpad swelling tested at various times after immunization with SL3235. The hypersusceptible C3H/HeJ and C3HeB/FeJ mice failed to exhibit significant DTH responses despite their high levels of immunity.