Bovine natural killer cells restrict the replication of Mycobacterium bovis in bovine macrophages and enhance IL-12 release by infected macrophages.

In this contribution, the impact of bovine natural killer (NK) cells on resistance to bovine tuberculosis was studied, using a monoclonal antibody against bovine NKp46. NK cells cultured with M. bovis-infected macrophages, but not control uninfected macrophages, proliferated and released IFN-gamma.

Susceptibility of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) infected with Mycobacterium bovis is associated with a transient macrophage activation profile.

The Australian brushtail possums are highly susceptible to Mycobacterium bovis and are the principal wildlife reservoir of M. bovis in New Zealand. To better understand the disease process in these animals, brushtail possums were infected by the aerosol route with a virulent strain of M.

Oral vaccination with Mycobacterium bovis BCG in a lipid formulation induces resistance to pulmonary tuberculosis in brushtail possums.

A method was developed for formulating Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) for oral vaccination against tuberculosis. Selected lipid-based formulations of BCG were tested in the brushtail possum for their ability to elicit immune responses and protection against bovine tuberculosis. Formulation of BCG in lipid matrices maintained bacteria in a dormant but viable state.