THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHAGOCYTIC CELLS AND HUMAN TUBERCLE BACILLI

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Abstract
Virulent and avirulent human tubercle bacilli (Strains H37Ra and H37Rv) injd. intraperit. into mice are phagocytized at the same rate during the initial stage of infection. Several hrs. after injn. however, virulent bacilli can still be seen extracellularly in the peritoneal exudates, whereas avirulent bacilli can be found only in the intracellular phase. Based on counts of extra- and intracellular bacilli and on the quantitative intracellular distribution of the bacteria it is suggested that the virulent bacilli can exert a lytic effect on the poly-morphonuclear leukocytes which have phagocytized them which results in the release of the bacilli into the extracellular fluid. Avirulent bacilli are not released, once they are phagocytized, and are removed from the exudate within a short time.