Figure 10.

Evaluation of Mtb abundance in immunized mice at 10 weeks post infection. (A) Aggregated Ag85B suppresses Mtb bacillary load in the lungs and spleen of the immunized mice. Residual mycobacterial burden [colony-forming unit (CFUs)] in the lungs (a), and spleen (b) of the immunized animals was assessed at 10 weeks post infection. The colonies obtained were enumerated and expressed as log₁₀ CFUs/g of tissue. The data were analyzed by employing one-way ANOVA following by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test where; p < 0.05(*), p < 0.01(**), and p < 0.001(***) were considered significant. The log₁₀ CFU data are expressed as means (±SD) of four animals in each group. (B) Histopathological analysis showing reduced residual mycobacterial burden in lungs of animals immunized with aggregated Ag85B. Representative histopathological photomicrographs from various immunized groups; (a) BCG, (b) Ag85B-IFA (F1), and (c) aggregated form of Ag85B(F2). Arrows pointing out relative occurrence of acid-fast bacilli positive bacilli (Mtb) in various immunized and infected groups at 10 weeks post aerosol challenge (Original magnification—1000×).