Corynebacterium kutscheriand its alleged avirulent variant in mice

Abstract

SummaryCorynebacterium kutscheriand its alleged avirulent variant were re-examined in C57Bl/6 and Swiss Lynch mice. It was confirmed that while C57B1/6 mice were resistant and Swiss Lynch susceptible toC. kutscheri, the alleged atypical variant was avirulent in both mouse strains. However, following inimunosuppression of C57B1/6 mice with hydrocortisone acetate, it was not possible to reactivate latentC. kutscherior the alleged atypical variant; this was contrary to previous reports. Moreover, sequential hysterectomy derivation over four generations of C57B1/6 mice did not eliminate their resistance toC. kutschericompared with conventionally born animals. Vaccination with live attenuatedC. kutscheriprotected susceptible mice against virulent challenge; vaccination with the alleged atypical variant afforded no such protection. The suggested role of the alleged avirulent variant in resistance toC. kutscheriis challenged and an alternative explanation of such resistance is proposed.