Host defense against the pneumococcus in T lymphocyte deficient, nude mice

Abstract

Resistance to pneumococcal infection was tested in T lymphocyte deficient nude (nu/nu) mice. Pneumococcal serum opsonizing activity, in vivo phagocytosis of the pneumococcus, and the mean lethal dose for the pneumocococcus were all found to be the same in nude mice as in control (+/+) mice, T lymphocytes do not appear to play a significant role in the host's defense against the pneumococcus.