Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 3, 2026

Application of Long-term cultured Interferon-γ Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay for Assessing Effector and Memory T Cell Responses in Cattle

Application of Long-term cultured Interferon-γ Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay for Assessing Effector and Memory T Cell Responses in Cattle

Published on: July 11, 2015

Persistence and boosting of bacille Calmette-Guérin-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity

D F Hoft¹, J M Tennant

¹Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, Missouri 63110, USA. hoftdf@slu.edu

Annals of Internal Medicine

|July 3, 1999

Abstract

Background:

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination may induce persistent and booster purified protein derivative (PPD) responses that complicate tuberculosis screening efforts.

Objectives:

To investigate the effects of BCG vaccination on serial PPD tests and to study correlations between persistent delayed-type hypersensitivity and other potential surrogate markers of protective immunity.

Design:

Cohort study.

Setting:

Midwestern urban university.

Participants:

69 healthy adults.

Interventions:

BCG vaccination, blood samples drawn for immunologic studies, and PPD tests done sequentially over 1 to 3 years.

Measurements:

Serial PPD induration, lymphoproliferation, and interferon-gamma responses.

Results:

10% of participants (95% CI, 4% to 20%) had persistent PPD responses of 15 mm or greater, and 3% (CI, 0% to 10%) demonstrated PPD boosting of 15 mm or greater 1 to 3 years after BCG vaccination. Intradermal BCG vaccination induced a larger number of persistent responses that were 10 mm or greater than did percutaneous BCG vaccination (12 of 46 participants compared with 1 of 23 participants; P = 0.05). Persistent and boosted delayed-type hypersensitivity correlated with mycobacterial-specific lymphoproliferation and interferon-gamma responses.

Conclusions:

Previous BCG vaccination reduces the predictive value of serial PPD testing. The lowest PPD predictive values will occur in persons without known tuberculosis exposure who were vaccinated recently or many times with intradermal BCG. In addition, BCG-related persistence and boosting of delayed-type hypersensitivity responses correlate with other potential surrogate markers of protective mycobacterial immunity.

More Related Videos

Protective Efficacy and Pulmonary Immune Response Following Subcutaneous and Intranasal BCG Administration in Mice

Protective Efficacy and Pulmonary Immune Response Following Subcutaneous and Intranasal BCG Administration in Mice

Published on: September 19, 2016

A Suction Blister Protocol to Study Human T-cell Recall Responses In Vivo

A Suction Blister Protocol to Study Human T-cell Recall Responses In Vivo

Published on: August 11, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Vaccinations

Vaccinations

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...

Immunological Memory

Immunological Memory

Immunological memory, a pivotal pillar of the adaptive immune system, is responsible for the body's ability to remember and respond more swiftly and effectively to previously encountered pathogens. This remarkable feature is what makes vaccines so effective in preventing diseases.
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature...

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions

Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity (DTH), or Type IV hypersensitivity, is a cell-mediated immune response. It occurs when T cells, rather than antibodies, mediate a reaction to specific antigens. It is characterized by a delayed onset (1-2 days) and involves the recruitment of macrophages to the inflammation site.The initiation of a DTH response begins with the sensitization of T cells. During this phase, which lasts at least 1-2 weeks, antigen-specific T cells are activated, clonally expanded, and...

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions

Type III hypersensitivity reactions occur when antigen–antibody complexes form and activate the complement system. Normally, these complexes help the clearance of antigens by phagocytes and red blood cells. However, when large numbers of immune complexes are present, they can deposit in tissues—particularly in the walls of blood vessels—leading to inflammation and tissue injury. These deposits trigger complement activation and neutrophil recruitment, resulting in serum...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

PO and ID BCG vaccination in humans induce distinct mucosal and systemic immune responses and CD4+ T cell transcriptomal molecular signatures.

Mucosal immunology·2017

Intranasal vaccinations with the trans-sialidase antigen plus CpG Adjuvant induce mucosal immunity protective against conjunctival Trypanosoma cruzi challenges.

Infection and immunity·2010

Anatomical route of invasion and protective mucosal immunity in Trypanosoma cruzi conjunctival infection.

Infection and immunity·2006

Enhancement of innate and cell-mediated immunity by antimycobacterial antibodies.

Infection and immunity·2005

Differential interleukin-8 and nitric oxide production in epithelial cells induced by mucosally invasive and noninvasive Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes.

Infection and immunity·2003

Differential effects of control and antigen-specific T cells on intracellular mycobacterial growth.

Infection and immunity·2003

See all related articles