Draining lymph node enlargement produced by immunogenic strains of cultivable mycobacteria.

Lymphnode enlargement produced by strains of mycobacteria have a direct bearing on the immunogenicity characteristics. Two strains of mycobacteria namely M. habana TMC 5135 and M. marinum (SATO) have been studied for their property to produce enlargement of draining lymphnodes besides other cell-mediated immune responses. Both the strains are capable of producing the enlargements of inguinal and popliteal lymphnodes which is very significant. The enlargements of lymphnodes have been produced by these strains both in the live as well as killed state. Possibility of developing these strains as vaccine against leprosy has been discussed.

Leucocyte migration inhibition response of Mycobacterium habana with sensitized animals and cells from leprosy patients.

Response of Mycobacterium habana sensitized mouse cells against habanin (sonicated extract) lepromin (Dharmendra) and tuberculin has been studied in the leucocyte migration inhibition test. The homologous antigenic response has evoked maximum inhibition as compared to heterologous antigens but close antigenic association has also been observed with lepromin and tuberculin. With human cells from leprosy patients these antigens have evoked analogous response indicating cross immunogenicity of M. habana with leprosy sensitized cells.

Increased virulence of Mycobacterium avium Kirschberg in thioacetamide treated rabbits.

An attempt has been made to determine the correlation between liver damage and the virulence of mildly pathogenic Mycobacterium avium in thioacetamide treated rabbits. Liver damage increased the susceptibility of rabbits to infection even with a moderately virulent organism.