Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Protective Efficacy and Pulmonary Immune Response Following Subcutaneous and Intranasal BCG Administration in Mice
Published on: September 19, 2016
BCG vaccination confers poor protection against M. tuberculosis HN878-induced central nervous system disease
Liana Tsenova1, Ryhor Harbacheuski, Nackmoon Sung
1Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunity and Pathogenesis, The Public Health Research Institute (PHRI), 225 Warren Street, Newark, NJ 07103, USA. tsenova@phri.org
Abstract:
Using a rabbit model of tuberculous meningitis (TBM), we compared the protective efficacy of Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination against central nervous system infection with the virulent M. tuberculosis clinical isolate HN878 and the laboratory strain H37Rv. Although BCG clearly provided protection against infection with either challenge strain, protection against disease manifestations was significantly poorer in rabbits infected with HN878. BCG was less efficient in protecting against HN878 dissemination to the liver and spleen and against HN878-induced inflammation, loss of body weight, lung and brain pathology, and signs of disease. We suggest that the efficacy of newly developed vaccines should be tested in animal models not only against challenge with M. tuberculosis H37Rv but also with different clinical isolates including the highly virulent strains of the W-Beijing family.
Related Concept Videos
Tuberculosis
Cryptococcal Meningitis
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the progression...
Bacterial Meningitis

