The Need for an Alternative to BCG

Paramasivan, C N (2002) The Need for an Alternative to BCG. In: Trends in Malaria and Vaccine Research: The Current Indian Scenario. [error in script], New Delhi, pp. 231-237.

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Abstract

Vaccination is generally used as a form of immunoprophylaxis, so that vaccination against a specific disease even a long time before exposure to the wild type of infectious organism should afford protection. Since effector T and B cells are short lived, a prime requisite for a vaccine is to generate immunological memory (1). In the case of organisms such as mycobacteria which are obligate intracellular pathogens and which elicit granulomatous tissue reactions, immunization with live mycobacteria is required to induce protection (1). The only existing vaccine against tuberculosis is the BCG (bacille Calmette- Guerin), an attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis. Since 1978 BCG is recommended to be given to all infants of 3-9 months after birth under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) started by the Government of India (6). The paradox of BCG is that it is simultaneously the most widely used and the most controversial of all vaccines today.

Item Type: Book Section
Subjects: Tuberculosis > Laboratory Research > Bacteriological
Divisions: Basic Science Research > Bacteriology
Depositing User: Dr. Rathinasabapati R
Date Deposited: 08 Nov 2013 09:29
Last Modified: 10 Mar 2016 04:39
URI: http://eprints.nirt.res.in/id/eprint/567

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