Beiträge zur Immunbiologie der Tuberkulose

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Abstract
Koch showed in 1882 that tuberculous guinea pigs exhibit a vigorous immunity against re-infection. In investigations in 1930-40, it was shown that this immunity is not mediated by humoral antibodies. Immunity is conferred by a cellular process, utilizing a local and general activation of the macrophage system (the system of mononuclear phagocytes). The tuberculous granuloma consists of activated macrophages and their descendants (epitheloid and giant cells), which inhibit the growth and spreading of tubercle bacilli. The role of the specific and nonspecific activation of the macrophage system could be demonstrated in rats infected with Bartonella muris rati. These results are related to the recent knowledge concerning cellular immunity and granulomatous inflammation, and especially to the cooperation between the lymphatic and macrophage system.