Lepromin responses in recipients of a candidate antileprosy bacterin vaccine (WHO-IMMLEP Mycobacterium leprae killed preparation) in the USA.
BACKGROUND
Identification of the nine-banded armadillo as a potential source of massive numbers of Mycobacterium leprae led to the development of a candidate bacterin vaccine for possible immunoprophylaxis.


METHODS
Volunteers were from a leprosy-hypoendemic, nonBCG-using area (USA). They had been vaccinated intradermally 3 years earlier with a candidate antileprosy bacterin vaccine of irradiated and autoclaved Mycobacterium leprae obtained from experimental nine-banded armadillos. They were tested for dermal responsiveness to standard lepromin A.


RESULTS
Values for induration and erythema appeared slightly greater for the vaccinated group; however, the differences were not statistically significant, indicating no appreciable 'anamnestic' effect on either Fernandez (early) or Mitsuda (late) reactions after 3 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Because previous studies had demonstrated that administration of this bacterin produced no humoral changes, it now appears less probable that laboratory methods will be of much help in assessing even possible effectiveness of such vaccination.
Krotoski
W A
WA
Laboratory Research Branch, Gillis W. Long Hansen's Disease Center, Carville, Louisiana 70721-9607.
Mroczkowski
T F
TF
Shannon
E J
EJ
Millikan
L E
LE
Sanchez
R M
RM
Hastings
R C
RC
D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007916:Lepromin / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated / Q000276:immunology
D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated; C060596:anti-leprosy vaccine; D007916:Lepromin