Tuberculosis (TB) disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) remains one of the leading infectious causes of death and disease throughout the world. The only licensed vaccine, Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) confers highly variable protection against pulmonary disease. An effective vaccination regimen would be the most efficient way to control the epidemic. However, ...

The spectacular failure of the existing bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine in recent tuberculosis-control trials has prompted a search for potential replacements. Imaginative approaches currently under development include the modulation of BCG by the production of auxotrophic mutants or cytokine-secreting recombinants, and the development of subunit vaccines based on the major proteins of My...

There is strong evidence that tuberculin sensitivity cannot be used to evaluate the efficacy of different strains of bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG). For identifying efficacious strains of BCG and evaluating candidates for new vaccines, the best method is a randomized trial. Simple trials in which newborns would be vaccinated with new and old vaccines in alternate years could demonstrate which va...

Interleukin-15 (IL-15) transgenic mice which had been inoculated with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) 24 weeks previously showed resistance against airborne infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv accompanied by an increased CD8(+)-Tc1-cell response. IL-15 may be used as an immune adjuvant given with BCG vaccination to enhance its biologic efficacy.

Virgin females of Byrsotria fumigata (Guérin) and several other species of Blattidae produce volatile substances which attract males and release in them characteristic precopulatory behavior. The removal of the corpora allata from females shortly after the imaginal molt results in a failure of production of sex attractant, as assayed by male behavior. Implantation of corpora allata can effect r...

Proper induction of Th1 immunity is required for effective immunotherapy of bladder cancer with the bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Interleukin-10 (IL-10) downregulates the Th1 immune response and is associated with BCG therapy failure. We evaluated BCG plus IL-10 blocking antibodies and found that this combination therapy induces enhanced Th1 immune responses and anti-bladder cancer immunity i...

Mycobacterium bovisBCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin) is a vaccine strain used for protection against tuberculosis. Here, we announce the complete genome sequence ofM. bovisstrain BCG-1 (Russia). Extensive use of this strain necessitates the study of its genome stability by comparative analysis.

Optimal management of high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer during the current bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) shortage is challenging. Although no evidence-based guidelines exist for this specific situation, current management options can be adapted for when BCG supplies are limited or when BCG is unavailable.