Quality control tests for vaccines in leprosy vaccine trial, Avadi.

All the vaccines supplied for the large scale comparative leprosy vaccine trial of ICRC bacilli, M.w, BCG plus killed M. leprae (candidate vaccines), BCG and normal saline (control arms) at CJIL Field Unit, Chennai were tested for quality control by the suppliers following the procedures laid down in the WHO protocol for killed M. leprae. Quality control for BCG was carried out at BCG vaccine laboratory as per protocol. Toxicity and sterility tests were done on all the vaccine batches/lots received. As part of the quality control, bacterial count, and protein estimation were also done. Studies showed that the bacterial content and protein concentration were comparable with the original preparations. Vaccines were free from micro-organisms, toxic materials and safe for human use. Thus the quality of all vaccine preparations was satisfactory.