[Effects of non-clostridial anaerobic infection on the course of chronic pulmonary tuberculosis in experimental animals].

Influence of non-clostridial anaerobic infection on the course of chronic pulmonary tuberculosis caused by intrapleural administration of BCG used in a vaseline-lanolin mixture was studied experimentally on guinea pigs. Administration of Bacteroides fragilis in the presence of a mild tuberculous inflammation aggravates the course of a specific process promoting pleural empyema development, increase in the size of pulmonary granuloma, extension of pathologic changes into the parenchymatous organs and aggravation of a nonspecific inflammatory reaction. Animals with mixed infection exhibited a longer duration and higher level of M. tuberculosis and B. fragilis excretion than those having a mono-infection. The findings suggest M. tuberculosis and B. fragilis synergism.