This CDC-developed technology relates to novel vaccines or boosters directed against pulmonary tuberculosis. There is currently only a single vaccine against tuberculosis, the (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) BCG vaccine. Reports suggest widely variable effectiveness for the BCG vaccine and that BCG administration has very limited success against prevention of the primary pulmonary form of the disease. With a marginally useful vaccine and rising rates of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant (MDR and XDR) tuberculosis strains, it is clear there is a public health need that must be met.

Researchers working at CDC have developed improved vaccine formulations and processes of delivery for enhancing the immune response against M. tuberculosis. These improvements may be implemented as stand-alone vaccines or in conjunction with BCG as part of a prime-boost strategy. Intranasal immunization engenders a strong immune response in the lungs, which is beneficial because the M. tuberculosis pathogen primarily gains entry through the respiratory/alveolar mucosa. By specifically stimulating mucosal immunity with select recombinant M. tuberculosis polypeptides at the typical site of pathogen entry, it is envisioned that these formulations and delivery methods will be able to prevent M. tuberculosis infection and subsequent pulmonary tuberculosis disease.