Tuberculosis Vaccines

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death by an infectious agent worldwide. The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the only licensed vaccine against TB and the most widely used vaccine in history. Since 1921, billions of people have been vaccinated with BCG, resulting in a remarkable decline in infant mortality. However, although BCG's efficacy to prevent TB meningitis and disseminated disease in children is well established, its efficacy to prevent infection, disease or reactivation in adolescents and adults is variable. Therefore, novel TB vaccines are urgently needed. Recent clinical trials have shown promising results, offering hope for the introduction of a new generation of vaccines to replace or boost BCG.

The book is structured into five sections, each providing sequential relevance to understanding the current landscape and future developments in TB vaccines. Section 1 introduces TB and the causative agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Section 2 presents historical perspectives on BCG and TB vaccine candidates. Section 3 focuses on pre-clinical vaccines against TB. Section 4 examines vaccines against TB currently in clinical trials. Finally, section 5 discusses public health and societal challenges associated with the development of TB vaccines.

This book is an essential tool for students, clinicians, and scientists working in the fields of mycobacteriology, vaccine immunology, vaccine development, and TB vaccines, and it is anticipated to stimulate future research in TB vaccine development.