Immunogenicity and Safety of a Candidate Tuberculosis (TB) Vaccine Given to Healthy Adults in a TB-endemic Region

This study will assess the safety and immunogenicity of a GSK Biologicals' candidate TB vaccine administered at 0, 1 months to healthy adults living in a TB-endemic region. The Protocol Posting has been updated in order to comply with the FDA Amendment Act, Sep 2007.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Subjects who the Investigator believes that they can and will comply with the requirements of the protocol.
* A male or female between, and including, 21 and 40 years of age at the time of the first vaccination.
* Written informed consent obtained from the subject prior to any study procedure.
* Free of obvious health problems as established by medical history and clinical examination before enrolment into the study.
* If the subject is female, she must be of non-childbearing potential, or if she is of childbearing potential, she must practice adequate contraception for 30 days prior to vaccination, have a negative pregnancy test and continue such precautions for 2 months after completion of the vaccination series.
* No evidence of pulmonary pathology as confirmed by chest X-ray.
* Clinically normal laboratory values for creatinine, ALT, AST and complete blood count.
* Seronegative for human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1).
* No history of extrapulmonary TB.
* Subjects must have the appropriate PPD skin reactivity (induration measured at 48 to 72 hours after PPD skin test administration).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Use of any investigational or non-registered product (drug or vaccine) other than the study vaccines within 30 days preceding the first dose of vaccine, or planned use during the study period.
* Chronic administration of immunosuppressants or other immune-modifying drugs within 6 months prior to the first vaccine dose.
* History of previous administration of experimental Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccines.
* History of previous exposure to experimental products containing MPL or QS21.
* Administration of any immunoglobulins, any immunotherapy and/or any blood products within the three months preceding the first dose of study vaccination, or planned administrations during the study period.
* Participation in another experimental protocol during the study period.
* Any confirmed or suspected immunosuppressive or immunodeficient condition based on medical history and physical examination.
* A family history of congenital or hereditary immunodeficiency. Subjects who describe a first-degree relative with clearly documented autoimmune disease will be excluded
* History of any acute or chronic illness or medication that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may interfere with the evaluation of the safety or immunogenicity of the vaccine.
* Any chronic drug therapy to be continued during the study period, with the exception of vitamins and/or dietary supplements, birth control pills, anti-histamines for seasonal allergies, SSRIs.
* History of any neurologic disorders or seizures.
* History of allergic reactions or anaphylaxis to previous immunisations.
* History of allergic disease or reactions likely to be exacerbated by any component of the vaccine.
* History of chronic alcohol consumption and/or drug abuse which in the investigators opinion would put the subject at risk.
* Major congenital defects.
* Pregnant or lactating female.
* Female planning to become pregnant or planning to discontinue contraceptive precautions.