We reported previously that IL-15 plays a critical role in protecting effector CD8(+) T cells from apoptosis during the contraction phase following acute infection with Listeria monocytogenes by inducing antiapoptotic molecules. In the present study, we examined the effects of in vivo administration of rIL-15 on contraction of CD8(+) T cells after chronic infection with Mycobacterium bovis BCG ...

Mycobacterium bovis BCG is the only available vaccine for protection against tuberculosis (TB). While BCG protects children from severe disease, it has little impact on pulmonary disease in adults. A recombinant BCG vaccine BCG ΔureC::hly (strain VPM1002) is in advanced clinical trials and shows promise for improved vaccine safety but little change in efficacy in animal models. A second-generat...

Mice that consumed a single dose of 10(7) lipid-encapsulated Mycobacterium bovis BCG bacilli showed significant pulmonary and systemic protection against aerosol challenge with M. tuberculosis H37Rv. As an extension of previous challenge studies with virulent strains of M. bovis, this report describes a reduction in M. tuberculosis infection in mice vaccinated orally with lipid-encapsulated BCG...

Dear Editor, Since 1976 Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (an attenuated form of wild type Mycobacterium bovis; BCG) has been extensively used for the treatment of superficial bladder cancer. It is a safe and well tolerated treatment with rare adverse events including allergic reactions, granoulomatous prostitidis or epididymo-orchitis, disseminated infection and BCG sepsis1. Although cystitis is not an...

Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is administered to all newborns in countries where tuberculosis is still endemic. It is a live attenuated vaccine and considered quite safe in immunocompetent children. Disseminated BCG disease is the most serious complication seen only in individuals with underlying primary or secondary immunodeficiencies. We report a case of disseminated BCG disease in an...

Introduction / objectives The attenuated bacilli Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is administered in Albania to all newborns at the first day of life to prevent tuberculosis. Although complications are rare after BCG vaccination and the outcome is usually favourable, serious BCG infections can occur. The risks associated with BCG vaccination include local complications, extraregional localized dis...