Observations on in vitro Behavior of Altered Mononuclear Phagocytes Following Exposure to Tubercle Bacilli.

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Abstract
In vitro studies of polysaccharide induced peritoneal exudates from tuberculin negative guinea pigs show that mononuclear phagocytes which have been "blocked" by the ingestion of various particles take up tubercle bacilli less readily than "non-blocked" phagocytes. Monocytes blocked with trypan blue, silica, carbon, coal dust and cement particles were exposed to two strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv and BCG) from 1 to 24 hours. Comparative studies were made by phagocytic index determination. These findings may suggest that the phenomenon of "blockade" of phagocytic cells could be of importance in helping explain the spread of tuberculosis in individuals exposed to extensive dust inhalation.