FATE OF MYCOBACTERIUM-TUBERCULOSIS INSIDE RAT PERITONEAL-MACROPHAGES IN-VITRO

Rat peritoneal macrophages in vitro were infected with Mycobacterium t uberculosis and the fate of M. tuberculosis inside macrophages was mon itored. Alteration in the levels of nitric oxide (NO) measured in term s of nitrite formed, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lysosomal enzymes su ch as acid phosphatase, cathepsin-D and beta-glucuronidase in macropha ges following M. tuberculosis infection was also studied. Elevation in the levels of nitrite were observed from 72 h of M. tuberculosis infe ction. Irrespective of the time point, M. tuberculosis infected macrop hages produced elevated levels of H2O2, Maximum increase in the level of acid phosphatase was observed from 72 h of M. tuberculosis infectio n, whereas maximum elevation in the level of beta-glucuronidase was ob served 48 h after M. tuberculosis infection. However these microbicida l agents did not alter the intracellular viability of M. tuberculosis.