EFFECT OF BCG VACCINATION ON MYCOBACTERIUM LEPRAEMURIUM INFECTION IN A HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE INBRED MOUSE STRAIN

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Abstract
Upon infection with M. lepraemurium (MLM) C3H mice develop a disease that has features in common with lepromatous leprosy in man. I.p. vaccination with a single dose of BCG 4 wk before inoculation with MLM in the footpad significantly reduced the total bacillary load of the animals. In vaccinated animals there was a delay in the dissemination of bacilli to the popliteal lymph node, liver and spleen. The growth rate of MLM in the footpad and the popliteal lymph node was not altered by BCG vaccination. Reduced dissemination of the bacilli may be a sensitive parameter of resistance in murine leprosy. The mechanism of the resistance observed was discussed mainly in relation to non-specific macrophage activation and T cell mediated responses to cross-reactive antigens.