HISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES RELATING ACTIVATION OF MACROPHAGES TO INTRACELLULAR DESTRUCTION OF TUBERCLE-BACILLI

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 86  (3) , 623-633
Abstract
Dermal tuberculous lesions, both primary and of reinfection, were produced in rabbits with 14C-labeled BCG and biopsied once at various times. Macrophages activation was evaluated by the indolyl histochemical test for .beta.-galactosidase, the number of bacilli in macrophages by acid-fast staining and the breakdown of bacilli by autoradiography. After the rabbits became tuberculin positive, the strongly activated macrophage population contained fewer parasitized cells, fewer bacilli in each parasitized cell and more free 14C-label (not associated with intact bacilli) than the weakly activated macrophage population. The more highly activated macrophages apparently destroyed many bacilli they once contained and their power to do so was probably enhanced by immunologic mechanisms.