BCG

An effective immunization against tuberculosis. BCG stands for Bacille Calmette Guérin. BCG is a weakened (attenuated) version of a bacteria called Mycobacterium bovis which is closely related to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the agent responsible for tuberculosis. Camille Guérin (1872-1961) and Albert Calmette (1863-1933) produced the BCG strain of the bacteria at the Pasteur Institute in Paris in 1921. Within a decade the BCG vaccine was being given in France and many other countries. By 1928, BCG had been given to 116,000 infants in France alone. However, conflicting questions about its effectiveness delayed the use of the BCG vaccine in the United States until 1950. BCG is also used as an adjuvant to stimulate the immune response and in cancer chemotherapy.

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Abbreviation for bacille Calmette-Guérin; ballistocardiograph.

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bacille Calmette-Guerin [vaccine]; ballistocardiography, ballistocardiogram; bicolor guaiac test; bromcresol green

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BCG abbr

1) bacillus Calmette-Guérin

2) ballistocardiogram

3) bromocresol green

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(bacille Calmette-Guérin)

a strain of tubercle bacillus that has lost the power to cause tuberculosis but retains its antigenic activity; it is therefore used to prepare a vaccine against the disease.

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bacille Calmette-Guйrin; bicolor guaiac test; ballistocardiogram.