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J Bacteriol. 1968 June; 95(6): 2000-2004
Copyright © 1968 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Immunogenicity of Cell Walls from Various Mycobacteria Against Airborne Tuberculosis in Mice¹

^a Rocky Mountain Laboratory, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, Montana 59840

ABSTRACT

Protective potency of oil-treated cell walls of various mycobacteria against airborne infection of mice with a few cells of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv was compared with that of viable BCG. Although less potent than BCG cell walls, the cell walls of atypical mycobacteria of Runyon's groups I to IV protected against challenge by aerosol to some degree. Protection afforded by cell walls of H37Rv and of the avirulent mutants H37Ra and Washington II was comparable to that provided by BCG cell walls. However, cell walls of a highly virulent strain of M. bovis (Bovinus I) provided the best protection yet achieved. Present evidence suggests that protective substances are shared by all mycobacteria but in differing amounts; the relationship between virulence and immunogenicity has yet to be clarified.

² Permanent address: Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.

¹ Presented in part at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, New York, N.Y., May 1967.