BCG vaccine

Definition

The BCG vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine derived from Mycobacterium bovis, primarily used to prevent tuberculosis (TB). It is especially effective against severe forms of TB in children.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. BCG stands for Bacillus Calmette-Guérin.
2. It provides immunity or protection against tuberculosis, particularly TB meningitis and miliary disease in children.
3. BCG vaccination can cause a false positive result in tuberculin skin tests (TST).
4. The efficacy of the BCG vaccine varies geographically, with higher effectiveness observed in regions with less prevalent TB exposure.
5. In countries with high TB incidence, the BCG vaccine is part of the routine immunization schedule for infants.

Review Questions

• What does the acronym BCG stand for?
• How does the BCG vaccine affect tuberculin skin test results?
• Why might the efficacy of the BCG vaccine vary by geographic region?

Related terms

Tuberculosis:

A serious infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that mainly affects the lungs.

Mycobacterium bovis: A type of bacteria similar to Mycobacterium tuberculosis; used to create the BCG vaccine.

Tuberculin Skin Test (TST): A diagnostic tool for detecting latent tuberculosis infection based on an immune response to injected tuberculin.