Development of protective antituberculosis immunity after BCG vaccination in mice with silicon deficiency in water and feed

: An experimental mouse model of normal and deficient content of silicon in the diet in CBA strain has been developed. It is shown that after BCG vaccination silicon deficiency brought about a dramatic decrease of in vitro proliferation of splenic lymphocytes in the presence of mycobacterial antigens, ConA or in the absence of the stimuli. DTH response to tuberculin in silicon deficient mice was also reduced. The level of specific serum IgG did not depend upon silicon content in the diet. The addition of silicon into the diet of silicon-deficient mice beginning from BCG vaccination restored the level of immune reactions.