Cellular immunity of naïve and BCG vaccinated neonates

Despite more than 95% vaccination coverage with Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), tuberculosis (TB) remains epidemic in South Africa. The dichotomy that successful pregnancy is usually associated with a type 2 (Th2) cytokine profile in the newborn child, whereas immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is associated with the development of a type 1 helper (Th1) cytokine response, could impact on the subsequent adaptive immune response to BCG vaccination. Previous studies have suggested that immune responses in early life may be defective and related to the immaturity of antigen-presenting cells and/or T cells.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Medicine

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Watkins, Marcia Linda Vivienne

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Kaplan, Gilla

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10984

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/10984