Systemic Tuberculin Sensitivity in Mice

Abstract

Summary Bilateral adrenalectomy increased the susceptibility of the tuberculous C57B1/6Ks mouse to tuberculin shock by approximately 100-fold. A single dose of 2.5 mg of cortisone given subcutaneously was fully protective against fatal tuberculin shock in tuberculous mice when given 12 or 24 hr before challenge and had little or no protective effect when given at the time of challenge or after challenge. When given 24 hr before challenge, this amount of cortisone increased the resistance of adrenalectomized tuberculous mice to tuberculin shock by approximately 1000-fold. The serotonin-depleting agent reserpine, which is effective for protecting mice against anaphylaxis, afforded no protection against tuberculin shock in mice. The anti-mediators Benadryl and Pyribenzamine were also ineffective for protecting mice against tuberculin shock.