Granulomagenic activity of serologically active glycolipids from Mycobacterium bovis BCG.

The granulomagenic properties of serologically active glycolipids A1, B2, B3, and C isolated from Mycobacterium bovis BCG were studied. Glycolipid A1, dissolved in olive and injected intradermally in guinea pigs, was able to elicit a granulomatous response that seemed to be of the nonallergic type. This granulomagenic activity was quite striking since only 2 mug was necessary to elicit the reaction. The B and C glycolipids were milder granulomagenic agents. Glycolipid A1, dissolved in olive oil and injected intraperitoneally, was toxic for mice. Mice lost weight after the injection of as little as 10 mug of A1, although not even a dose of 100 mug was lethal. Glycolipid A1 failed to immunize mice against aerogenic infection with virulent tubercle bacilli.