[Influence of chronic lead exposure on resistence to bacterial infection (author's transl)]

Suppression by lead of resistance to bacterial or viral infections has been reported by several authors. We have studied, if a decrease of resistance to bacterial infection could be evaluated at blood lead concentrations (PbB), which correspond to the upper levels of environmental or occupational lead exposure regarded as tolerable (PbB = 35 resp. 60 microgram/100 ml). NMRI mice were chronically exposed to lead by feeding with lead acetate containing diets and given a challenge with Salmonella typhimurium. No increase of susceptibility to bacterial infection could be demonstrated at PbB < 90 microgram/100 g. At PbB > 100 microgram/100 g, however, an increase of lethality and a decrease of 50% survival times could be observed after bacterial infection.