Improved long-term protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing/W in mice after intra-dermal inoculation of recombinant BCG expressing latency associated antigens

► We show expression of latency-associated antigens by recombinant BCG improves longevity of protection against tuberculosis in a murine model. ► This improved protection was achieved against a representative of the medically-relevant Beijing/W lineage of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. ► This study provides a proof-of-principle that expression of latency-associated antigens by recombinant BCG can improve vaccine efficacy.