Protective role of neutrophils in mice experimentally infected with Rhodococcus equi

Neutrophils are important in controlling early infections with the intracellular bacterium Rhodococcus equi. Antineutrophil monoclonal antibody (RB6-8C5) -induced neutrophil deficiency during the first week after experimental infection of mice with R. equi resulted in more severe disease and significantly increased tissue concentrations of R. equi.