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Has BCG attenuated to impotence?

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  • Marcel A. Behr

    (Stanford University Medical Center)

  • Peter M. Small

    (Stanford University Medical Center)

Abstract

The magnitude of the global tuberculosis problem and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant organisms has resulted in a renewed need for tuberculosis vaccine development. An ideal vaccine would consistentlyconfer protection without confoundingthe interpretation of the tuberculin skin test. The current vaccine, Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), provides inconsistent efficacy (0-80% in randomized control trials) yet usually induces tuberculin reactivity. This variability in observed efficacy has been attributed to differences in trial methodology, host genetics and immunity to a variety of environmental mycobacteria1. We hypothesize that the attributes of the current BCG have resulted from subtlepressures to minimize adverse reactions and maintain tuberculin reactivity during vaccine development and testing.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcel A. Behr & Peter M. Small, 1997. "Has BCG attenuated to impotence?," Nature, Nature, vol. 389(6647), pages 133-134, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:389:y:1997:i:6647:d:10.1038_38151
    DOI: 10.1038/38151
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