Objective: Use gene disrupted mice to examine the possible role of secretory antibody on
resistance to re-exposure to pulmonary tuberculosis. Design: Mice deficient in B cells due to
targeted gene disruption were infected by aerosol exposure with Mycobacterium
tuberculosis. A further set were identically exposed then given isoniazid to clear the infection
and establish a state of memory immunity. Results: Control of the aerosol infection and
generation of gamma interferon proceeded in a similar manner in both naive and memory …