Immune response to infection with Salmonella typhimurium in mice

Infection of mice with Salmonella typhimurium results in systemic infection and a disease similar to that seen in humans after infection with S. typhi . Time innate immune system can restrict replication of S. typhimurium to a certain degree, but for effective control and eradication of bacteria, acq uired immunity is essential. Salmonella infection induces the generation of specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, and both T cell populations are import ant for protection during primary and secondary responses, although the mec hanisms underlying T cell-mediated protection are not yet completely unders tood, infection with S, typhimurium also results in a strong antibody respo nse to Salmonella antigens and, in contrast to most other intracellular bac teria, this antibody response participates in protection, In summary, the r esponse to S, typhimurium involves both T and B cell-mediated immunity, and mechanisms mediated by both lymphocyte populations are important for contr ol of primary infection and protection against secondary infection.