Immunogenicity of ribonucleic acid-protein fraction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis encapsulated in liposomes.

Immunologically potent RNA-protein extracted from Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Ra, when entrapped in phosphatidylcholine multilamellar liposomes and injected into mice, induced both cellular and humoral immune responses. Significant protection against infection with M. tuberculosis H37Rv was also induced in the immunised mice, as monitored by (i) higher survival rates, (ii) decreased viable counts of M. tuberculosis H37Rv in lungs, livers and spleens, (iii) lower lung density, and (iv) lower root specific lung weight, in comparison with a control group of unimmunized mice.