Effects of Mycobacterium bovis (strain BCG) on the interstitial cells of hydronephrotic, contralateral, and normal rabbit kidneys.

Studies were undertaken to determine the effect of viable organisms of Mycobacterium bovis, strain Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG), on cell growth characteristics and phagocytic properties of cells from surgically-induced unilaterally hydronephrotic, contralateral, and normal rabbit kidneys. A single intravenous administration of 8 X 10(8) BCG organisms was given at the time of ureteral ligation. Four days after injection, explants were removed from the hydronephrotic, contralateral, and normal kidneys. Two cell types, fibroblasts and mononuclear phagocytes, grew from these explants. BCG caused a marked increase in the rate of growth of cells from the hydronephrotic and contralateral kidneys. There was no measurable effect of BCG on cells from the normal kidney.