A study of mouse strains susceptibility to Bacillus piliformis (Tyzzer's disease): the association of B-cell function and resistance.

Tests were conducted on 11 inbred strains of mice and an NIH outbred stock. It was found that only the CBA/N and C3. CBA/N mice (strains deficient in IgM production) were highly susceptible to Bacillus piliformis infection. Susceptibility to infection was determined by induction of typical surface liver lesions and the ability to maintain serial passage without concurrent administration of cortisone. Mice deficient in T-cell function (Nu/Nu/++) were as resistant to Bacillus piliformis infection as intact immunologically competent mice. The data suggested that resistance to Tyzzer's disease was, at least in part, a B-cell function.