01544nas a2200253   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653002300055653003100078653002600109653002600135653002100161653002200182653001100204653001200215653002600227653002500253100002100278245003800299300001100337490000600348520092200354022001401276       1984                            d  c1984 Dec10aBacterial Vaccines10aDrug Resistance, Microbial10aHistory, 19th Century10aHistory, 20th Century10aHistory, Ancient10aHistory, Medieval10aHumans10aleprosy10aLymphocyte Activation10aMycobacterium leprae1 aStewart-Tull D E00aLeprosy--in pursuit of a vaccine.  a238-480 v23 a<p>Clinical leprosy is characterized by varying manifestations between tuberculoid and lepromatous leprosy. In the former state the patient is able to elicit a cell-mediated immune response whereas in the latter, there is usually a humoral response. An understanding of this immunological balance is crucial in the search for a vaccine which will control the disease. The development of a possible anti-Mycobacterium leprae vaccine has been advanced by the isolation of organisms from the infected tissues of the nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus; 125 000 doses can be prepared from one animal. In addition, recent studies on the biochemical activities of these organisms may provide the knowledge required to allow cultivation on a laboratory medium. Eventually it may be possible to produce a combined leprosy:tuberculosis vaccine for use in those parts of the world where both diseases are prevalent.</p>  a0264-410X