Original mycobacterial sin, a consequence of highly homologous antigens?
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Date
Authors
Jenkins, Akinbowale Olajide
Michel, Anita Luise
Rutten, Victor P.M.G.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
The role of antigens shared between Mycobacteria in in-vivo cross-reactive immune responses in host animals,
have been reported to be responsible for reduced BCG vaccination efficacy as well reduced specificity of routine
immunological diagnostic tests. This presents with significant disease control challenges in humans and animals.
The present review highlights the results of previous studies on the effect of pre-sensitization to environmental
mycobacteria on either pathogenic mycobacteria and/or M. bovis BCG, in experimental animals. It also takes an
in-depth view into assessing the genetic similarities and relationships between atypical mycobacteria and
Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and how they might explain the immunological imprint of
environmental mycobacteria in directing the hosts’ immune response upon subsequent exposure to other classes
of mycobacteria. The outcome of this review suggests that genetic closeness between particular atypical
mycobacteria and MTBC usually indicate a higher level of homology for certain shared protective antigens. This
ultimately results in a higher level of cross reactive immune responses as compared with other atypical
mycobacteria that are further away genetically. This would explain the different effects of environmental
mycobacteria on MTBC that have been reported in the different studies. In other words the direction of the host
immune system in response to exposure to MTBC would depend on the type of environmental mycobacteria that
was encountered in the initial exposure. We also explain these mycobacterial interactions in the context of the
phenomenon of “Original Mycobacterial Sin”. The effects of these inevitable mycobacterial interactions on field
diagnosis and control by vaccination and how to circumvent them are discussed.
Description
Keywords
Original antigenic sin, Mycobacterial antigens, BCG vaccination, Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), Non tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), Prior exposure, Neonatal calves, Northern Malawi, Immune response, Environmental mycobacteria, Interferon-gamma response, Calmette-Guerin vaccination, Purified protein derivative
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Jenkins, A.O., Michel, A. & Rutten, V. 2017, 'Original Mycobacterial Sin, a consequence of highly homologous antigens?', Veterinary Microbiology, vol. 203, pp.286-293.