Open AccessAntibody bound to the surface antigen MPB83 of Mycobacterium bovis enhances survival against high dose and low dose challenge
Author(s) -
Chambers Mark A.,
GavierWidén Dolores,
Glyn Hewinson R.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1016/j.femsim.2004.01.004
Subject(s) - mycobacterium bovis , monoclonal antibody , microbiology and biotechnology , antibody , biology , tuberculosis , mycobacterium tuberculosis , virulence , antigen , bacilli , mycobacterium , virology , immunology , in vivo , bacteria , medicine , pathology , biochemistry , genetics , gene
Tuberculosis caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Mycobacterium bovis is a significant disease of man and animals. Whilst cellular immunity is the major immunological component required for protection against these organisms, recent reports have suggested that monoclonal antibodies can modify infection with M. tuberculosis . To test whether the same was true for M. bovis infection, we determined the effect of preincubation of M. bovis with a monoclonal antibody on subsequent intravenous infection of mice. Antibodies bound to the surface of M. bovis increased the survival time of mice infected with M. bovis and changed the morphology of granulomas and the distribution of acid‐fast bacilli in the lung. These studies suggest that antibodies directed to the surface of virulent mycobacteria can modulate their virulence in vivo.