French Scientists Albert Calmette and Camille Guerin, Co-inventors of the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) Vaccine to Protect Against Tuberculosis at the Pasteur Institute of Lille: A Short Historical Overview.

Fiche publication

Date publication

septembre 2024

Journal

Journal of clinical practice and research

Auteurs

Membres identifiés du Cancéropôle Est :
Pr BOUREL Line

Tous les auteurs :
Bourel L

Lien Pubmed

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41256816

Résumé

This paper presents historical facts, pivotal figures, and significant locations that led to the development of the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine at the turn of the 20 century to combat tuberculosis. We reviewed historical publications and gathered original data about the co-inventors, Albert Calmette and Camille Guerin, and the birthplace of their discovery, the Pasteur Institute of Lille, France. This historical overview highlights the co-inventors' distinct personalities and the local political drive to unify scientific efforts to rid the northern region of France of contagious diseases. Owing to their relentless dedication, the vaccine is aptly named after its creators. It is a fitting tribute, as Calmette and Guerin combined their expertise, courage, and determination to develop this exceptional preventive medicine. This review underscores their contributions to the creation of the BCG vaccine and their lasting impact.