Tubercle Bacillary Extracts Immunogenic for Mice. 4. Lipids.

Abstract

Lipids extracted from tubercle bacilli by Anderson''s classic method, by the method of Williams and Dubos with methanol, and by Choucroun''s technique with mineral oil were compared for their potential abilities to immunize DBA mice against subsequent challenge infection with virulent human, strain tubercle bacilli. The only 2 protective lipids were Anderson s Wax B and Choucroun''s Pinko. That the crude lipid from which Wax B was purified failed to immunize was explained by its content of an antagonizing substance which either could prevent immunization or could increase the susceptibility of vaccinated animals so that any immunity they might acquire would become unmeasurable. The immunogenic factor common to these lipids and to a proteinaceous extract reported elsewhere by the author to immunize is postulated to be a polysaccharide.