Passive transfer of resistance to tuberculosis.
Irving Millman · PubMed · 1962
The relative importance of cellular and humoral factors in resistance to tuberculosis is largely unresolved (1~5). Recently, Sever reported (6) that the cellular exudate from specifically immunized mice passively p,rotected recipient mice against i!lfection with a large dose of virulent tubercle bacilli. This finding could not be confirmed by Suter (7), who observed only a limited amount of protection against infection with attenuated, but not against challenge with virulent, tubercle bacilli. Experiments carried out in this laboratory also failed to confirm Sever's (6) findings when his procedure was followed. A significant degree of passive protection against infection by virulent organisms was accomplished by a modification of his technique. The procedure and the results are the subject of this communication.