Influence of mycobacterial virulence and culture condition on gamma delta T cell activation.

Activation of human gamma delta T cells by culture supernatants of virulent and avirulent mycobacteria was examined. The stimulatory potential of mycobacteria was influenced by the type of culture media and independent from their virulence. Activation of gamma delta T cells by phagocytes infected with viable virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and avirulent M. bovis BCG was comparable. We conclude that gamma delta T cell stimulation occurs in response to infection with mycobacteria independent from their virulence.