Abstract

Given the variable protective efficacy provided by Mycobacterium bovis BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin), there is a concerted effort worldwide to develop better vaccines that could be used to reduce the burden of tuberculosis. Recombinant BCG (rBCG) are vaccine candidates that offer some potential in this area. In this paper, we will discuss the molecular methods used to generate rBCG, and the results obtained with some of these new vaccines as compared with the conventional BCG vaccine in diverse animal models. Tuberculosis vaccine candidates based on rBCG are promising candidates, and some of them are now being tested in clinical trials.

Keywords: Immunogenicity, preclinical, animal models, cytokine expression, antigen secretion