Cortisone-resistant effector T cells in acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis and Listeria monocytogenes infection of mice.

Sensitized T cells in both lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) and listeriosis are apparently unaffected by treatment of mice with cortisone acetate. Cortisone-resistant immune T cells readily transfer acute, fatal LCM or protection against L. monocytogenes infection. Treatment of recipient mice with cortisone, however, impairs T cell-dependent effector mechanisms (i.e. macrophages) in listeriosis, but has no effect on induction of LCM. Acute LCM may thus represent a T cell-mediated pathological process which does not require participation of macrophages.