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BCG vaccination in deer: Distinctions between delayed type hypersensitivity and laboratory parameters of immunity
Author(s) -
GRIFFIN J. FRANK T.,
HESKETH JAN B.,
MACKINTOSH COLIN G.,
SHI YOUEN,
BUCHAN GLENN S.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
immunology and cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0818-9641
DOI - 10.1038/icb.1993.62
Subject(s) - vaccination , immunity , immunology , delayed hypersensitivity , medicine , biology , immune system
Summary Groups of deer were vaccinated with live or killed Bacillus Calmette‐Guerin (BCG), with and without oil adjuvant, to compare their immune responses with those found in naturally infected animals. Killed BCG in oil induced strong lymphocyte transformation (LT) and antibody (ELISA) responses specific for Mycobacterium bovis antigens. Serum inflammatory proteins (SIP) were also induced after these animals were skin tested. This pattern of reactivity mirrored that found in naturally infected deer with active tuberculosis. Animals vaccinated with live BCG without oil adjuvant also produced strong LT reactivity hut this was directed at common mycobacterial antigens found on both M. bovis and M. avium , although no antibody or SIP were detected at any stage of the experiment. The pattern of immune responsiveness to live BCG was similar to that found in naturally infected, but non‐diseased deer, and may represent the immunoprotective response to tuberculosis. Significant differences in specificity of lymphocyte transformation and intradermal skin test reactivity to mycobacterial antigens were also identified. Vaccination with BCG in various formulations provides an experimental probe to evaluate the immunological hasis of immunity to tuberculosis.