[Effect of brucellosis protective antigen on the phagocytic activity of the cells]

The authors present the results of study of the protective function of cells of the local inflammatory focus caused by the administration of live brucella culture to guinea pigs immunized with a protective antigen in the optimal (0.6) and increased (2 mg) doses. Macrophages of guinea pigs vaccinated with the optimal immunized dose of the protective antigen phagocytized brucellae actively; an increased dose of the antigen suppressed the ingestive and the digestive functions of macrophages, this apparently being caused by the manifestation of the immunodepressive activity of the residual amount of lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin) in the protective antigen.