Abstract
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC? Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) share significant genomic similarity, enabling NTM to induce protective immune responses against MTB infection. This characteristic has led to their increasing application in tuberculosis (TB) vaccine development. WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT? This study found mice in the experimental group developed high IgG antibody titers (1:921,600±446,351.3) and demonstrated a Th1-type immune response. Post-immunization serum antibodies exhibited cross-reactivity with MTB whole-cell proteins. Substantial neutrophil was recruited following antigen challenge. Mycobacterium intracellulare (Mit) whole-cell proteins demonstrate potent immunogenicity and cross-reactivity with MTB whole-cell proteins. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE? These findings suggest that potential applications in the immunoprevention and treatment of tuberculosis, and the Mit strain CHPC 1.5701 is identified as a promising candidate for tuberculosis vaccine development.