FAILURE OF PULMONARY CLEARANCE OF RHODOCOCCUS-EQUI INFECTION IN CD4+ T-LYMPHOCYTE-DEFICIENT TRANSGENIC MICE

Pulmonary clearance of Rhudococcus equi requires functional T lymphocytes. In this study, CD8+ T-lymphocyte-deficient transgenic mice cleared virulent R. equi from the lungs while infection in CD4+ T-lymphocyte-deficient transgenic mice persisted. Although both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells function early in pulmonary defense against R. equi, clearance is dependent on CD4+ T lymphocytes.