Effect of in vitro infection of human monocytes with low numbers of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria on monocyte apoptosis

Abstract

The effect of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv on spontaneous apoptosis of human monocytes from healthy donors in vitro was investigated. Infection with low numbers of viable M. tuberculosis bacteria prevented spontaneously occurring apoptosis in monocytes. Our data suggest that apoptosis of monocytes appears to be negatively associated with the presence of tumor necrosis factor alpha.