Macrophage engulfing tuberculosis vaccine. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a macrophage white blood cell engulfing Mycobacterium bovis
Macrophage engulfing tuberculosis vaccine. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a macrophage white blood cell engulfing Mycobacterium bovis bacteria (yellow). 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: x2,900 when printed 10 centimetres wide.
Size: 4092px × 3068px
Photo credit: © Science Photo Library / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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