| Abstract: | Mycobacterium bovis (BCG organisms) suspended in saline or a 5% solution of a non-ionic detergent, Triton WR-1339, was injected intraperitoneally into mice. Electron-microscopic observation was carried out on peritoneal exudate cells harvested therefrom. Electron-lucent vacuoles limited by the membrane structure were found in macrophages of the mice injected with BCG suspended in the detergent, but not in polymorphonuclear leukocytes or lymphocytes. Mycobacterial cells were present within such vacuoles. Without the detergent, the ingested mycobacterial cells were in close contact with the phagosomal membrane. Within the electron-lucent vacuoles, however, such close contact was not present. These observations, together with other collateral findings, led us to a view that Triton WR-1339 may inhibit the interaction between mycobacteria and the phagosomal membrane by intervening between them thus making the progress of infection delayed. |
