The effect of birth weight and gestational age on BCG-induced immune responses in infants following BCG vaccination

Bacillus Calmette?Gu?rin (BCG), the only currently licensed tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, provides variable efficacy. Despite the use of BCG, TB remains a global health problem. BCG is administered at birth; however, more than 15% of infants are born preterm [PT (<37 weeks gestation)], or have low birth weights [LBW (<2,500g)], with >90% of these born in developing countries, where the majority of TB cases are found. It is not known how birth weight at the time of vaccination may affect the BCG-induced immune response and subsequent protection against TB. We hypothesised that BCG-vaccinated PT and LBW infants would have a qualitatively and quantitatevely less optimal immune response, compared to term or normal birth weight (NBW) infants.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Dube, Frederick

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Hanekom, Willem A

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10377

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/10377