1. [An experimental analysis of Mycobacterium smegmatis as a possible vector for the design of a new tuberculosis vaccine]
- Author
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Vv, Eremeev, Kb, Maiorov, Vg, Avdienko, Kondrashov SIu, and As, Apt
- Subjects
Mice, Inbred C57BL ,Mice ,Drug Design ,Bacterial Vaccines ,BCG Vaccine ,Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ,Animals ,Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ,Cosmids ,Tuberculosis, Pulmonary - Abstract
This study was inspired by WHO program for vaccine development. Our experimental model of lethal tuberculosis in mice was used to test whether rapidly growing avirulent M. smegmatis could be used as a live vaccination vector for screening rationalized M. tuberculosis cosmid library. The results suggest that M. smegmatis is not likely to possess protective activity against tuberculosis in C57B1/6 TB-susceptible mice. This negative result is satisfactory in that the immunity induced by M. smegmatis itself could not interfere with expected protection caused by the expression of M. tuberculosis genes in this vector. Our model makes it possible to find out which gene(s) of M. tuberculosis provide an ability to multiply in the host and whether virulence and persistence are controlled by the same genetic traits(s).
- Published
- 1996