Aerogenic vaccination of mice with Mycobacterium bovis BCG

The course of infection with Mycobacterium bovis BCG Pasteur was followed against time in groups of mice vaccinated by either the aerogenic or subcutaneous route. The generation of acquired protective immunity and immunological memory was determined in each group by adoptive immunisation procedures. In addition, subcutaneously vaccinated mice were tested for their ability to resist an aerogenic challenge with a lethal dose of M. tuberculosis. No overall qualitative differences in the magnitude or longevity of antituberculosis immunity in mice vaccinated by the two procedures were observed. It is concluded that aerogenic vaccination offers no immunological advantage over vaccination by the subcutaneous route.