RESISTANCE TO INFECTION WITH VIRULENT TUBERCLE BACILLI IN MICE IMMUNIZED WITH VIABLE MYCOBACTERIUM BALNEI AND UNCLASSIFIED MYCOBACTERIA ADMINISTERED AEROGENICALLY

Abstract

Mice became infected when exposed to M. balnei or Groups I and III of unclassified organisms administered aerogenically. No lesions were observed in mice exposed to M. balnei, but pulmonary lesions resulted from infection with large numbers of Group III organisms. Group I organisms produced extensive pulmonary lesions and caused death in mice infected with large numbers of bacilli. Mice vaccinated aerogenically with organisms of Groups II, III, and IV were not immune to aerogenic infection with virulent tubercle bacilli. M. balnei produced a measurable degree of resistance to infection with H37Rv. The resistance that developed as a result of infection with Group I organisms appeared to be as great as that following immunization with H37Ra.