Isipingo

Researchers are evaluating the safety and immune response of the MTBVAC vaccine in adolescents and adults aged 12 to 55 years living with and without HIV in South Africa. The study includes participants grouped by HIV status and immune markers, such as CD4 T cell counts and interferon-gamma release assay results. The trial is designed to compare MTBVAC with the BCG vaccine and is conducted as a Phase 2a randomized study without a placebo group. The study is divided into two parts Part A includes two cohorts with four groups each, and Part B includes one cohort with four groups. Participants receive a single 0.1 mL intradermal injection of either MTBVAC or BCG in the upper arm at the start of the study. Enrollment of the third cohort will occur only if safety criteria are met in the first two cohorts. Following vaccination, participants are monitored for 48 weeks. Participants will attend clinic visits for safety assessments and immune response evaluations through blood tests measuring specific immune cells and antibodies at various time points, including weeks 4, 10, 24, and 48. Researchers will track adverse events, vaccine acceptability, and immune system changes by analyzing blood samples and gene expression. The study ensures thorough follow-up to assess both the safety and the bodys immune reaction to the vaccines over nearly a year.