Protective Effect of a Tuberculosis Subunit Vaccine Based on a Fusion of Antigen 85B and ESAT-6 in the Aerosol Guinea Pig Model

摘要

A fusion protein of antigen 85B (Ag85B) and ESAT-6 administered in cationic lipid vesicles conferred a highly significant level of protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the guinea pig aerosol model of infection. The protection was manifested as delayed clinical illness and prolonged survival. Neither Ag85B nor ESAT-6 (independently or as a cocktail) induced significant protection in this model.