Induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity in human volunteers immunized with a candidate leprosy vaccine consisting of killed Mycobacterium leprae.

A killed armadillo-derived Mycobacterium leprae vaccine was examined for its ability to induce a delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response in purified protein derivative (PPD)-positive human volunteers living in a leprosy non-endemic country. Four groups of individuals aged between 23 and 28 years were given 1.5 x 10(7), 5 x 10(7), 1.5 x 10(8) and 5 x 10(8)M. leprae intradermally. A marked increase in reactivity to the M. leprae-derived skin test antigen (MLSA) was observed in the vaccinated groups receiving the three highest doses of vaccine while there was very little change observed in their PPD reactivity. No unacceptable side-effects attributable to the vaccine were observed. The killed armadillo-derived M. leprae vaccine thus appears to be able to induce a DTH response in man at doses which do not cause unacceptable side-effects.

[1]  R. Young,et al.  Human T-cell clones recognize a major M. leprae protein antigen expressed in E. coli , 1986, Nature.

[2]  J. Convit,et al.  Lymphocyte suppression in leprosy induced by unique M. leprae glycolipid , 1984, Nature.

[3]  D. Young,et al.  A serological test for leprosy with a glycolipid specific for Mycobacterium leprae. , 1983, Science.

[4]  F. Liew,et al.  Induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity to Mycobacterium leprae in healthy individuals. , 1981, Clinical and experimental immunology.

[5]  C. Shepard,et al.  Searches among mycobacterial cultures for antileprosy vaccines , 1980, Infection and immunity.

[6]  R. Rees,et al.  Effect of purification steps on the immunogenicity of Mycobacterium leprae. , 1980, British journal of experimental pathology.

[7]  B. Bloom,et al.  Induction of cell-mediated immunity to Mycobacterium leprae in guinea pigs , 1979, Infection and immunity.

[8]  C. Shepard,et al.  Heat stability of Mycobacterium leprae immunogenicity , 1978, Infection and immunity.

[9]  T. Godal,et al.  Immunological aspects of leprosy--present status. , 1978, Progress in allergy.

[10]  M. J. Lefford,et al.  Induction of cell-mediated immunity to Mycobacterium leprae in mice , 1978, Infection and immunity.

[11]  N. Axelsen,et al.  Antibody response in rabbits to immunization with Mycobacterium leprae , 1977, Infection and immunity.

[12]  P. Draper.  Cell walls of Mycobacterium leprae. , 1976, International journal of leprosy and other mycobacterial diseases : official organ of the International Leprosy Association.

[13]  D. Ridley,et al.  Immune responsiveness to Mycobacterium leprae and other mycobacterial antigens throughout the clinical and histopathological spectrum of leprosy. , 1973, Clinical and experimental immunology.

[14]  D. Ridley,et al.  Classification of leprosy according to immunity. A five-group system. , 1966, International journal of leprosy and other mycobacterial diseases : official organ of the International Leprosy Association.