Work

The effect of birth weight and gestational age on BCG-induced immune responses in infants following BCG vaccination

Year: 2010

Type: dissertation

Abstract: Bacillus Calmette?Gu?rin (BCG), the only currently licensed tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, provides variable efficacy. Despite the use of BCG, TB remains a global health problem. BCG is administered at birth; however, more than 15% of infants are born preterm [PT (<37 weeks gestation)], or have low birth weights [LBW (<2,500g)], with >90% of these born in developing countries, where the majority of TB cases are found. It is not known how birth weight at the time of vaccination may affect the BCG-induced immune response and subsequent protection against TB. We hypothesised that BCG-vaccinated PT and LBW infants would have a qualitatively and quantitatevely less optimal immune response, compared to term or normal birth weight (NBW) infants.

Source: Open University of Cape Town (University of Cape Town)

Author: Frederick Dube

Language: English

Topic: Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W746246443

Cites: 143

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Related to: 10