New findings from Johns Hopkins University, Center for Tuberculosis Research in the area of tuberculosis immunology described
December 1st, 2008
2008 DEC 1 -- Data detailed in 'Murine model to study the invasion and survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the central nervous system' have been presented. "Tuberculosis of the central nervous system (CNS) is a serious, often fatal disease primarily affecting young children. It develops after hematogenous dissemination and subsequent invasion of the CNS by Mycobacterium tuberculosis," researchers in the United States report.
"The microbial determinants involved in CNS disease are poorly characterized. Hematogenously disseminated M. tuberculosis infection was simulated in BALB/c mice by intravenous challenge. Bacteria were recovered using standard culture techniques. Host immune response to M. tuberculosis infection was assessed by histopathological and cytokine profile analysis. By means of a pooled infection with genotypically defined M. tuberculosis mutants, bacterial genes required for invasion or survival were determined in the CNS and lung tissue. M. tuberculosis were detected in whole mouse brains as early as 1 day after intravenous infection and at all time points assessed thereafter. No significant immune response was elicited in the infected brain tissue, compared with extensive inflammation in the infected lung tissue at the same time point. We identified mutants for 5 M. tuberculosis genes (Rv0311, Rv0805, Rv0931c, Rv0986, and MT3280) with CNS-specific phenotypes, absent in lung tissue. We have identified CNS-specific M. tuberculosis genes involved in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis," wrote N.A. Be and colleagues, Johns Hopkins University, Center for Tuberculosis Research.
The researchers concluded: "Further characterization of these genes will help in understanding the microbial pathogenesis of CNS tuberculosis."
Be and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Infectious Diseases (Murine model to study the invasion and survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the central nervous system. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2008;198(10):1520-8).
For additional information, contact N.A. Be, Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland USA..
Publisher contact information for the Journal of Infectious Diseases is: University Chicago Press, 1427 E 60th St., Chicago, IL 60637-2954, USA.
Keywords: United States, Baltimore, Tuberculosis Immunology, Central Nervous System Disease, Central Nervous System Infection, Cutaneous Tuberculosis, Immunology, Mycobacteria, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Neurology.
This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.
