Skip to content

Health

A new, more effective vaccine to combat TB could soon be created

by Nikki Bruce 21 Mar 2011
A new, more effective vaccine to combat TB could soon be created

Although most of the world's population has been immunised against TB through the use of the BGC vaccine, it is estimated that at least 9 million new cases worldwide are reported each year, killing up to 4,700 people per day. This has sparked calls for a new vaccine to be created so that deaths caused by TB can be effectively prevented.

There is good news however as it seems that scientists are already on the way to developing a new vaccine. They are hoping this will be done using a protein that has been discovered which is secreted by the TB bacteria. TB, or tuberculosis, is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) which attacks the lungs. The bacterium is spread as an airborne infection and passes from person to person by coughing.

The current BCG vaccine is derived from Mycobacterium bovis bacterium which predominantly affects cattle and is also very similar to MTB. However, the new protein, called EspC, which has been discovered, is secreted only by the TB bacterium and not the BCG vaccine. Therefore the current vaccine does not provide an immune response to the protein. It is thought that once the new vaccine has been finalised then it can be used in conjunction with BCG vaccine to provide added immunity. EspC also provides a stronger immune respose so it could be more effective than the BCG vaccine.

It has also been suggested that the EspC protein could have other uses, such as aiding the early diagnosis of TB. The current skin prick test for TB, the Mantoux test, is unable to detect the difference between people who have been vaccinated with the BCG vaccine and those who are carrying the TB infection.

The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Scienceswith the authors of the report speculating that the EspC protein could be the foundation for a new generation of both vaccination and diagnostic tool in combating TB.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping