Is the BCG vaccine safe for undernourished individuals?

Ishikawa, L. L. W., da Rosa, L. C. , Donegá França, T. G., Peres, R. S., Chiuso-Minicucci, F., Zorzella Pezavento, S. F. G. and Sartori, A. (2012) Is the BCG vaccine safe for undernourished individuals? Clinical and Developmental Immunology, 2012, 673186. (doi: 10.1155/2012/673186) (PMID:22567029) (PMCID:PMC3332168)

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Abstract

Cellular immunity is critical for protection against tuberculosis, but its integrity is compromised during undernutrition. The present study was designed to evaluate if the attenuated mycobacterium BCG is a safe vaccine for undernourished individuals. An experimental model of undernutrition was established by subjecting BALB/c mice to dietary restriction. These animals received 70% of the amount of food consumed by the healthy control group and exhibited physiological alterations compatible with malnutrition, including body weight loss, reduced levels of triglycerides and glucose, and reduced lymphocyte numbers. Undernourished mice were immunized with BCG, and the mycobacterial loads in lymph nodes, spleen, liver, lungs, and thymus were determined. A much higher proportion of undernourished mice exhibited bacterial dissemination to the lymph nodes, spleen and liver. In addition, only undernourished animals had bacteria in the lungs and thymus. Concomitant with higher mycobacterial loads and more widespread BCG dissemination in undernourished mice, production of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-10 was also diminished in these mice. Taken together, these results indicate that BCG infection is more severe in undernourished mice. Whether a similar phenomenon exists in undernourished children or not remains to be thoroughly investigated.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Camargo da Rosa, Dr Larissa
Authors: Ishikawa, L. L. W., da Rosa, L. C., Donegá França, T. G., Peres, R. S., Chiuso-Minicucci, F., Zorzella Pezavento, S. F. G., and Sartori, A.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Clinical and Developmental Immunology
Publisher:Hindawi
ISSN:2314-8861
ISSN (Online):2314-7156
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2012 Larissa Lumi Watanabe Ishikawa et al.
First Published:First published in Clinical and Developmental Immunology 2012: 673186
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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