Macrophage engulfing tuberculosis vaccine. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a macrophage white blood cell engulfing Mycobacterium bovis

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Macrophage engulfing tuberculosis vaccine. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a macrophage white blood cell engulfing Mycobacterium bovis bacteria (rod shaped). This is the BCG (bacillus of Calmette-Guerin) strain of the bacteria, used in the vaccination for tuberculosis (TB). The bacteria is live but attenuated (weakened). The macrophage engulfs (phagocytoses) the bacteria and destroys them. The vaccine primes the immune system, without causing disease, so that it responds more rapidly if infected with TB bacteria. Magnification: x3,500 when printed 10 centimetres tall.

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Size: 2952px × 3237px
Photo credit: © Science Photo Library / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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