[Immunity and resistance in experimental tuberculosis in mice exposed to various environmental factors]

CBA mice maintained on the chow and water with either normal or deficient in particular trace elements were infected with M. tuberculosis H37Rv. Mice with deficiency of silicon showed a tendency for decreased survival, had less active DTH response to tuberculin and proliferation in vitro upon stimulation by mycobacterial antigens and nonspecific mytogens than mice on balanced diet, higher levels of specific IgG. Addition of silicon to the diet of silicon-deficient mice corrected antituberculosis immunity.