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J Bacteriol. 1968 June; 95(6): 2158-2164
Copyright © 1968 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Cellular Immunity of Mice Infected with Listeria monocytogenes in Diffusion Chambers

^a Department of Veterinary Microbiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California 95616

ABSTRACT

The importance of bringing live bacteria into intimate contact with macrophages as a prerequisite for establishing cellular immunity was investigated. The bacterium Listeria monocytogenes was shown to replicate and survive in diffusion chambers implanted in the peritoneal cavities of mice. Humoral substances accruing from host responses to diffusing soluble antigens of the microorganism were unable to inactivate the bacteria. The resistance of mice immunized by subcutaneous inoculation of the live organism always exceeded the resistance of mice with Listeria diffusion chamber implants. Animals with sham diffusion chambers were more resistant to a challenge by L. monocytogenes than were normal mice. Host resistance was not significantly different between Listeria diffusion chamber implant groups and sham diffusion chamber implant groups. The results suggested that direct involvement of macrophages with the parasite is necessary to achieve cellular immunity.

¹ Present address: Department of Bacteriology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Conn.