[Advances in the development of new vaccines against tuberculosis. 100 years after the introduction of BCG]

Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online). 2014 Jun 9:68:768-76. doi: 10.5604/17322693.1108381.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

The BCG vaccine used in the world for nearly 100 years protects children against the most severe forms of tuberculosis, but its effectiveness in preventing the most commonly occurring tuberculosis and the one burdened with the highest risk of transmission in adults is very diverse. Contraindications for BCG vaccination include HIV infection and other conditions of immunosuppression. Tuberculosis is a global problem difficult to control because of three main reasons: poor diagnostics in developing countries, long-term therapy or discontinuation of treatment resulting in the emergence of drug-resistant mycobacteria, and the availability of a TB vaccine which only protects children from the most severe forms of tuberculosis. BCG has little to no efficacy in preventing the most common adult pulmonary TB. The development of a more effective vaccine against tuberculosis is undoubtedly still a public health priority in order to improve control of the disease throughout the world. Elimination of TB as a global public health goal by 2050 is particularly ambitious and its achievement depends on the development and application of new intervention measures and newly designed vaccines. Currently, 14 newly developed products are undergoing clinical trials. These include a prophylactic vaccine capable of replacing the current BCG, booster vaccines to increase the effects of BCG, and therapeutic vaccines. The aim of the study is to present the current state of knowledge on cutting-edge research into new vaccines against tuberculosis, their efficacy, immunogenicity and potential use in the future.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines*
  • BCG Vaccine / immunology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Tuberculosis / prevention & control*
  • Tuberculosis Vaccines*

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines
  • BCG Vaccine
  • Tuberculosis Vaccines