In vitro Lysis of Leucocytes from Tuberculous Humans by Tuberculoprotein

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Abstract
Further studies on the delayed type of bacterial hypersensitivity have shown that the leucocytes of tuberculous humans are specifically destroyed by concns. of tuberculoprotein non-toxic for white cells from normal individuals. White cell suspensions were prepared from heparinized whole blood by flotation over albumin soln. These suspensions were exposed in vitro to small concns. of tuberculoprotein. Serial total white counts and differential counts were performed on the incubated (37 C) samples over 90 minutes. 20-60% of lympho- cytes and 20-90% of neutrophils from patients with active severe tuberculosis were destroyed within 90 min. Complement appears to be necessary for this type of lysis. No lysis occurs on exposure of these cells to a B-streptococcal protein extract; nor do these bacterial proteins cause lysis of white cells from normal subjects.

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