Macrophage function in mammary glands of Brucella abortus-infected cows and cows that reisted infection after inoculation of Brucella abortus

Harmon, B.G.; Adams, L.G.; Templeton, J.W.; Smith, R. III.

Macrophage function in mammary glands of Brucella abortus-infected cows and cows that reisted infection after inoculation of Brucella abortus

1989

Harmon, B.G. | Adams, L.G. | Templeton, J.W. | Smith, R. III.

Nonvaccinated pregnant cows were segregated retrospectively into 2 groups following inoculation with Brucella abortus stain 2308. One group resisted infection (resistant cows) and the other group developed active infections (susceptible cows) and subsequently aborted. Mammary gland macrophages collected from the 2 groups of cows were compared, using in vitro functional assays. In a chemiluminescence assay, mammary gland macrophages from resistant cows produced significantly (P = 0.014) higher oxidative burst activity than did macrophages from susceptible cows. Macrophages from resistant cows had significantly (P = 0.038) greater bacteriostatic activity against B abortus than did macrophages from susceptible cows. Differences in lysosomal enzymatic activity or Fc receptor expression were not observed for macrophages from the 2 groups of cows. Differences in macrophage function may be one factor responsible for natural resistance to Brucella infection in cattle.

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