Drug treatment combined with BCG vaccination reduces disease reactivation in guinea pigs infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis

► Guinea pigs develops lesions that harbors drug tolerant bacilli when infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ► BCG vaccination prior to challenge decreases the severity of caseous granulomas. ► BCG vaccination improved antimicrobial treatment outcome in the guinea pig tuberculosis model. ► BCG vaccination combined with drug therapy had better clinical and survival outcomes. ► BCG vaccination combined with drug therapy reduces the incidence of disease reactivation.