Allergenicity of mycobacterial ribosomal and ribonucleic acid preparations in mice and guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs were injected subcutaneously with mycobacterial ribosomal fraction incorporated in Freund's incomplete adjuvant and tested 6 and 12 weeks later by the intradermal injection of 0.5 mug (25 TU) of Purified Protein Derivative. No evidence of delayed-type hypersensitivity could be detected in these animals, although large necrotic reactions were obtained in guinea pigs sensitized with living, attenuated mycobacterial cells. Mice also were vaccinated by the intraperitoneal injection of mycobacterial ribosomal fraction or ribonucleic acid (RNA) and tested for sensitivity to tuberculin at various subsequent times. No evidence of true tuberculin hypersensitivity could be detected at any time, although what appeared to be small Arthus type reactions were seen in mice given the largest vaccinating doses. Attempts to recall tuberculin sensitivity in vaccinated mice by the intravenous injection, 4 weeks after vaccination of living cells, of either the virulent or attenuated mycobacterial strains were unsuccessful. Instead, when the virulent cells were injected, a suppression of footpad reactivity was noted in animals made sensitive to tuberculin by the previous intraperitoneal injection of viable attenuated mycobacterial cells. Both guinea pigs and mice, vaccinated as described above, were also skin tested or footpad tested, respectively, with 2 mug of the ribosomal fraction or RNA used for vaccination. No evidence of true tuberculin hypersensitivity could be obtained; instead, in guinea pig skin very small dermonecrotic areas were noted, and in mice swelling and redness of the footpad occurred to an equal extent in both vaccinated and nonvaccinated mice. The possible role of tuberculin hypersensitivity in acquired immunity to tuberculosis is discussed, and the conclusion is reached that its part, if any, is minor.