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Updated: May 29, 2026
06:26
Micro-Colony Forming Unit Assay for Efficacy Evaluation of Vaccines Against Tuberculosis
Published on: July 28, 2023
Tuberculosis vaccines: beyond bacille Calmette-Guerin
1The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK. helen.mcshane@ndm.ox.ac.uk
Summary
Developing new tuberculosis (TB) vaccines is crucial for controlling the global epidemic. Current strategies focus on enhancing cellular immunity, either by improving the existing bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine or by developing booster vaccines.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
- Immunology
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb), is a major global health threat.
- The current Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine offers variable protection against pulmonary TB but consistent protection against disseminated childhood disease.
- Cellular immunity is essential for protection against TB.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current TB vaccine development strategies.
- To discuss the challenges in TB vaccine efficacy testing.
Main Methods:
- Review of leading candidate TB vaccines in development.
- Analysis of strategies aimed at enhancing cellular immunity.
Main Results:
- Two primary strategies are being pursued: replacing BCG with improved whole-organism vaccines or developing subunit booster vaccines to enhance BCG's efficacy.
- Candidate vaccines include recombinant BCG and attenuated M. tb strains, as well as subunit vaccines.
Conclusions:
- Most TB vaccine development incorporates BCG to leverage its protective effects against disseminated disease.
- Inducing a strong and durable cellular immune response is the central focus of new TB vaccine development.
- Efficacy testing remains a significant challenge in the field.
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