Design of a Novel Genetically Engineered Vaccine Against Mycobacterium leprae

Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae is a granulomatous disease of the peripheral nervous system, causing permanent damage to the nerves, skin and limbs. It mainly affects the people living below the poverty. The current immunization strategies against leprosy like the BCG vaccine face several limitations and thus there is a need for an effective counter measure. The main aim was to design a vaccine with a genetically modified strain of the non-pathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis which over-expressed the immunedominant protein that would induce a strong, non-toxic cell-mediated immune response, and the production of memory cells would lead to successful immunization against leprosy.