Longitudinal study of correlates of immunity to tuberculosis in exposed individuals

Objective

Tuberculosis causes 2-3 million deaths/year. A more effective vaccine than BCG is required, but rational vaccine trials cannot be planned for two main reasons. First, although many mycobacterium antigens have been isolated, we do not know which ones to test in human trials. It is not possible to test them all. Secondly we do not know which mechanisms are crucial for killing M. tuberculosis in man, so we cannot rationally select an adjuvant, or plan short term pilot studies using surrogate markers of protection. VACSEL will therefore conduct longitudinal studies, in 3 geographically distinct African countries, of TB contacts who do or do not develop clinical disease, in order to identify ;
i) the antigens,
ii) the cytokine profile and
iii) the markers of apoptosis, that correlate with protection so that rational design and testing of vaccines can begin.

Fields of science

• medical and health sciences › clinical medicine › pneumology › tuberculosis
• medical and health sciences › basic medicine › pharmacology and pharmacy › pharmaceutical drugs › vaccines

Programme(s)

• FP5-INCO 2 - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Confirming the international role of Community research,1998-2002"

Topic(s)

Data not available

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON

Address

46 Cleveland Street
W1P 6DB London
United Kingdom

Participants (4)

ARMAUER HANSEN RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Ethiopia

Address

1005
2003 Addis Abeba

MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

The Gambia

Address

Atlantic Road Mrc Laboratories Fajara
20 Banjul

STATENS SERUM INSTITUT

Denmark

Address

5,artillerivej 5
2300 Koepenhagen

UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA

Zambia

Address

University Teaching Hospital "D" Block, Jaoaranda
10100 Lusaka