Reactive nitrogen intermediates production from naive and activated monocytes by extracts of Mycobacterium bovis BCG

Abstract

Extracts of Mycobacterium bovis strain BCG were assessed for in vitro activation of monocytes to produce reactive nitrogen intermediates. The culture filtrate of M. bovis BCG was a strong inducer of nitrite production while live BCG and sonicated antigens were also potent inducers. Other extracts activated monocytes which showed an increase in nitrite production after in vitro BCG infection.