Open AccessbioA mutant of Mycobacterium tuberculosis shows severe growth defect and imparts protection against tuberculosis in guinea pigs
Author(s) -
Ritika Kar Bahal,
Prachi Nangpal,
Shubhita Mathur,
Swati Singh,
Anil K. Tyagi
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0179513
Subject(s) - mycobacterium tuberculosis , tuberculosis , tuberculosis vaccines , virulence , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , virology , immunization , mutant , mycobacterium bovis , bcg vaccine , vaccination , medicine , immunology , gene , immune system , genetics , pathology
Owing to the devastation caused by tuberculosis along with the unsatisfactory performance of the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine, a more efficient vaccine than BCG is required for the global control of tuberculosis. A number of studies have demonstrated an essential role of biotin biosynthesis in the growth and survival of several microorganisms, including mycobacteria, through deletion of the genes involved in de novo biotin biosynthesis. In this study, we demonstrate that a bioA mutant of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtbΔ bioA ) is highly attenuated in the guinea pig model of tuberculosis when administered aerogenically as well as intradermally. Immunization with MtbΔ bioA conferred significant protection in guinea pigs against an aerosol challenge with virulent M . tuberculosis , when compared with the unvaccinated animals. Booster immunization with MtbΔ bioA offered no advantage over a single immunization. These experiments demonstrate the vaccinogenic potential of the attenuated M . tuberculosis bioA mutant against tuberculosis.