Pulmonary lymphatics are primary sites of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in guinea pigs infected by aerosol

Infect Immun. 2006 Sep;74(9):5397-401. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00332-06.

Abstract

Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes a lymphatic vasculitis in the lungs of guinea pigs infected by a low-dose aerosol. This observation suggests that in addition to being a direct conduit from the lungs to the regional lymph nodes, pulmonary lymphatics are themselves sites of infection and could be the site of latent infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aerosols
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Lung / immunology
  • Lung / microbiology*
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lymphatic Vessels / microbiology*
  • Lymphatic Vessels / pathology*
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / isolation & purification*
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / immunology*
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / pathology*

Substances

  • Aerosols