Bioreactor-Grown Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin (BCG) Vaccine Protects Badgers against Virulent Mycobacterium bovis When Administered Orally: Identifying Limitations in Baited Vaccine Delivery.

ABSTRACT: Bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Great Britain adversely affects animal health and welfare and is a cause of considerable economic loss. The situation is exacerbated by European badgers (Meles meles) acting as a wildlife source of recurrent Mycobacterium bovis infection to cattle. Vaccination of badgers against TB is a possible means to reduce and control bovine TB. The delivery of vaccine in oral bait holds the best prospect for vaccinating badgers over a wide geographical area. There are practical limitations over the volume and concentration of Bacillus of Calmette and Guérin (BCG) that can be prepared for inclusion in bait. The production of BCG in a bioreactor may overcome these issues. We evaluated the efficacy of oral, bioreactor-grown BCG against experimental TB in badgers. We demonstra

SUBMITTER: Lesellier S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7463497 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature