Systemic macrophage mobilization and granulomatous response to BCG in the protein-deficient rabbit.

In view of increased susceptibility to tuberculosis in protein malnutrition, the phenomenon of accelerated granulomatous response by the macrophage was studied in rabbits immunized and subsequently challenged with BCG. Dietary protein depletion resulted in marked retardation of macrophage mobilization and granuloma formation in various organs. The granulomatous index was low in most organs. The granulomas were few, small, abortive and ill-formed by loosely knit epithelioid cells and giant cells. This deficiency of macrophage function might limit the effectiveness of BCG vaccination in the malnourished host.