Depletion of CD4⁺ T cells reactivates chronic lymphatic <i>Mtb</i> infection.

<p>Naïve B6 mice were infected i.d. with 1×10⁴ <i>Mtb</i> H37Rv. At weekly intervals, mice received intraperitoneally (i.p.) a mAb against mouse CD4 (GK1.5) or PBS (A). On day 28 p.i mice were sacrificed and ear-draining LNs, spleen and lung were assessed for numbers of CD4⁺ T cells by FACS (B) and numbers of viable bacteria (C). Results are presented as pooled data means ± SEM from one representative experiment (n = 4 mice per group). Statistical analyses: Mann-Whitney <i>U</i>-test per organ; significant differences are indicated by asterisks: ** p<0.01; *** p<0.001.