Lymphostimulatory and delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to a candidate leprosy vaccine strain:Mycobacterium habana

Abstract

Lymphostimulatory and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) immune responses to a candidate antileprosy vaccine Mycobacterium habana have been quantified in inbred AKR mice. M. habana vaccine in three physical states, live, heat killed and ,),-irradiated, was given intradermally to separate groups of mice and after 28 days these mice were given subcutaneous challenge with heat-killed M. leprae and heat-killed M. habana in the left hind footpad. Live BeG vaccine alone and in combination with ,),-irradiated M. habana were also compared similarly. A sufficient degree of DTH response was generated in mice by M. habana vaccine in all physical forms against two challenge antigens (lepromin and habanin). The BeG combination with M. habana did not increase the DTH response indicating internal adjuvanticity endowed in M. habana. The active hypersensitivity of immunized mice was transferable to syngeneic mice by the transfer of sensitized cells from the donor to the recipient mice intravenously. M. leprae-infected Rhesus monkey PBMe have shown comparable stimulatory response with M. habana (sonicate), and M. leprae (sonicate) antigens. The possibility of developing M. habana as a candidate antileprosy vaccine is discussed.

The number and organization of the rRNA genes of several strains ofMycobacterium simiae

“…One Cuban strain (TMC 5135), which was found to be effective in protecting mice against M. leprae [10,11], is a potential vaccine against tuberculosis and leprosy [12,13]. Studies of the glycopeptidolipid (GPL) compositions have led to the identification of four groups of strains of M. simiae [14,15].…”

Analysis of lipids reveals differences between ‘Mycobacterium habana’ and Mycobacterium simiae

“…habana' TMC 5135 and several M. simiae strains differ in glycopeptidolipid (GPL) composition. This fact, together with a renewed interest in the study of 'true ' strains of ' M. habana ' as a candidate vaccine against tuberculosis and leprosy (Singh et al, 1989(Singh et al, , 1995(Singh et al, ,1997, led us to carry out a comparative analysis of some representative lipids of both bacteria, work so far not undertaken. Moreover, since the synonymy was established, no other phenotypic features have been defined in 'M.…”

Structural studies of cord factors from Mycobacterium simiae related to the capacity for tumour necrosis factor alpha (α-TNF) induction

“…Strain 'habana' TMC 5135 is considered immunogenic in experimental tuberculosis (Gupta et al, 1979) and leprosy (Singh et al, 1989(Singh et al, , 1997, producing in both cases delayedtype hypersensitivity and lymphostimulatory responses. Several attempts have been made to define the antigens responsible for immunoprotection.…”