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Category: Microbial Genetics and Molecular Biology; Bacterial Pathogenesis
Animal Models of Tuberculosis: An Overview, Page 1 of 2
< Previous page | Next page > /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555819569/9781555819552_Chap06-1.gif /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555819569/9781555819552_Chap06-2.gifAbstract:
Animal models are an integral part of the scientific process, reflecting the physiological and anatomical similarities between many animal species and human beings. In the context of infectious diseases, multiple animal models have been used to extend our understanding of their pathophysiology and the host response to them. This is the backbone also of vaccine research, producing vaccines against once-dreaded multiple diseases that in previous centuries claimed the lives of many millions of people. Animal models are also invaluable in designing therapies, particularly drugs, with which to combat these diseases.
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The theoretical relationship among virulence, immunogenicity, and fitness, and its importance in the assessment of vaccine efficacy. In assessing whether a vaccine is active, the vaccine to challenge (or boost) interval is critical. In most protocols, this interval is relatively short, and so a boosting candidate, or the challenge infection itself, is given before the effector immune response has completely contracted and the subsequent memory immune response (the true target) has become fully established. After challenge, the change in CFU levels versus time indicates the intrinsic virulence of the strain used. If the vaccine has induced memory immunity, the growth of the challenge infection is slowed, but the rapidity with which this happens also depends on the immunogenicity of the organism. Finally, recent studies (see reference 18 , for example) indicate that certain clinical strains, despite high virulence, are very effectively controlled by BCG vaccination, suggesting low fitness, whereas others are transiently inhibited but after a while continue to grow progressively.
The theoretical relationship among virulence, immunogenicity, and fitness, and its importance in the assessment of vaccine efficacy. In assessing whether a vaccine is active, the vaccine to challenge (or boost) interval is critical. In most protocols, this interval is relatively short, and so a boosting candidate, or the challenge infection itself, is given before the effector immune response has completely contracted and the subsequent memory immune response (the true target) has become fully established. After challenge, the change in CFU levels versus time indicates the intrinsic virulence of the strain used. If the vaccine has induced memory immunity, the growth of the challenge infection is slowed, but the rapidity with which this happens also depends on the immunogenicity of the organism. Finally, recent studies (see reference 18 , for example) indicate that certain clinical strains, despite high virulence, are very effectively controlled by BCG vaccination, suggesting low fitness, whereas others are transiently inhibited but after a while continue to grow progressively.