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Lawrence A. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Revaccination and Protection Against Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review. Cureus 2024; 16:e56643. [PMID: 38646352 PMCID: PMC11032142 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination remains a cornerstone in global efforts to combat tuberculosis (TB), a persistent public health threat worldwide. The purpose of this systematic review is to find out how well BCG revaccination protects against TB. This systematic review synthesized recent studies investigating the efficacy of BCG vaccination in preventing TB infection and disease. A total of 15 relevant publications were identified through a comprehensive search across multiple databases, including Cochrane Library, PubMed, Medline, and Scopus. The inclusion criteria encompassed studies involving humans, written in English, and categorized as case-control, cohort, meta-analysis, or full-text. Studies were selected based on their relevance to BCG revaccination and protection against TB, and a standardized data extraction form was used to gather pertinent information from each study. Quality assessment was conducted using established tools to evaluate the rigor, study design, and risk of bias in each included study. The findings revealed significant insights into BCG's effectiveness across different populations and age groups. Several studies demonstrated a substantial reduction in latent TB infection (LTBI) and incidence rates of TB following BCG vaccination. However, the protective efficacy of BCG revaccination varied across studies and populations, with some indicating modest protection against TB disease development, particularly in high-risk populations like healthcare workers. Furthermore, investigations into the immunological mechanisms underlying BCG's protective efficacy provided valuable insights into cytokine/chemokine profiles and immunomodulatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adewale Lawrence
- Pharmaceutical Medicine, Bioluminux Clinical Research, Naperville, USA
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Goenka MK, Goenka U, Patil VU, Das SS, Afzalpurkar S, Jajodia S, Mukherjee M, Shah BB, Moitra S. Kinetics of Covid-19 antibodies in terms of titre and duration among healthcare workers: A longitudinal study. THE NATIONAL MEDICAL JOURNAL OF INDIA 2023; 35:201-205. [PMID: 36715043 DOI: 10.25259/nmji_109_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Most individuals with Covid-19 infection develop antibodies specific to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, the dynamics of these antibodies is variable and not well-studied. We aimed to determine the titres of naturally acquired antibodies over a 12-week follow-up. Methods We recruited healthcare workers who had tested positive on a specific quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2, and then tested for the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody against the same virus at baseline and again at 6 and 12 weeks. The antibody titre was determined by a semi-quantitative assay based on signal/cut-off ratio. Healthcare workers with antibody positivity were divided into those with high titre (ratio ≥12) and low titre (<12). Their demographic details and risk factors were surveyed through a Google form and analysed in relation to the antibody titres at three time-points. Results Of the 286 healthcare workers, 10.48% had high antibody titres. Healthcare workers who had tested positive by qRT-PCR and those who had received the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination or other immune-boosters had a higher frequency of high antibody titres. While there was a significant decline in antibody titres at 6 and 12 weeks, 87.46% of individuals positive for IgG antibody persisted to have the antibody even at 12 weeks. Conclusion Healthcare workers who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on qRT-PCR had a high positivity for the specific antibody, which continued to express in them even at 12 weeks. Further follow-up is likely to enhance our understanding of antibody kinetics following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahesh Kumar Goenka
- Department of Clinical Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Institute of Gastrosciences and Liver, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Usha Goenka
- Department of Clinical Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Institute of Gastrosciences and Liver, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Vikram Uttam Patil
- Department of Clinical Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Institute of Gastrosciences and Liver, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Sudipta Sekhar Das
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Blood Bank, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Institute of Gastrosciences and Liver, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Shivaraj Afzalpurkar
- Department of Clinical Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Institute of Gastrosciences and Liver, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Surabhi Jajodia
- Department of Clinical Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Institute of Gastrosciences and Liver, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Muhuya Mukherjee
- Department of Biostatistics, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Institute of Gastrosciences and Liver, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Bhavik Bharat Shah
- Department of Clinical Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Institute of Gastrosciences and Liver, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Saibal Moitra
- Department of Allergy and Asthma Research Centre, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Institute of Gastrosciences and Liver, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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Santos AP, Werneck GL, Dalvi APR, Dos Santos CC, Tierno PFGMM, Condelo HS, Macedo B, de Medeiros Leung JA, de Souza Nogueira J, Malvão L, Galliez R, Aguiar R, Stefan R, Knackfuss SM, da Silva EC, Castineiras TMPP, de Andrade Medronho R, E Silva JRL, Alves RLR, de Moraes Sobrino Porto LC, Rodrigues LS, Kritski AL, de Queiroz Mello FC. The effect of BCG vaccination on infection and antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2-The results of ProBCG: a multicenter randomized clinical trial in Brazil. Int J Infect Dis 2023; 130:8-16. [PMID: 36841502 PMCID: PMC9972589 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Evatuate if Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine could be used as a tool against SARS-CoV-2 based on the concept of trained immunity. METHODS A multicenter, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial recruited health care workers (HCWs) in Brazil. The incidence rates of COVID-19, clinical manifestations, absenteeism, and adverse events among HCWs receiving BCG vaccine (Moreau or Moscow strains) or placebo were compared. BCG vaccine-mediated immune response before and after implementing specific vaccines for COVID-19 (CoronaVac or COVISHIELD) was analyzed. Cox proportional hazard and linear mixed effect modeling were used. RESULTS A total of 264 volunteers were included for analysis (BCG = 134 and placebo = 130). The placebo group presented a COVID-19 cumulative incidence of 0.75% vs 0.52% of BCG. The Moreau strain also presented a higher incidence rate (1.60% × 0.22%). BCG did not show a protective hazard ratio against COVID-19. In addition, the log (immunoglobulin G) level against SARS-CoV-2 presented a higher increase in the BCG group, whether or not participants had COVID-19, but also without statistical significance. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that BCG has a tendency of protection against SARS-CoV-2 and higher immunoglobulin G levels than placebo. The clinical trial was registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ (NCT04659941).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Santos
- Thorax Diseases Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Paula Razal Dalvi
- Collective Health Studies Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Hanna Silva Condelo
- Histocompatibility Laboratory, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruna Macedo
- Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Janaina Aparecida de Medeiros Leung
- Thorax Diseases Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Ludmila Malvão
- Thorax Diseases Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael Galliez
- Thorax Diseases Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roberta Aguiar
- Thorax Diseases Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roberto Stefan
- Medical Sciences School, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Elisangela Costa da Silva
- Molecular Micobacteriology Laboratory, Medical School and Hospital Complex HUCFF-IDT - Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Afrânio Lineu Kritski
- Molecular Micobacteriology Laboratory, Medical School and Hospital Complex HUCFF-IDT - Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Bindu S, Dandapat S, Manikandan R, Dinesh M, Subbaiyan A, Mani P, Dhawan M, Tiwari R, Bilal M, Emran TB, Mitra S, Rabaan AA, Mutair AA, Alawi ZA, Alhumaid S, Dhama K. Prophylactic and therapeutic insights into trained immunity: A renewed concept of innate immune memory. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2040238. [PMID: 35240935 PMCID: PMC9009931 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2040238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Trained immunity is a renewed concept of innate immune memory that facilitates the innate immune system to have the capacity to remember and train cells via metabolic and transcriptional events to enable them to provide nonspecific defense against the subsequent encounters with a range of pathogens and acquire a quicker and more robust immune response, but different from the adaptive immune memory. Reversing the epigenetic changes or targeting the immunological pathways may be considered potential therapeutic approaches to counteract the hyper-responsive or hypo-responsive state of trained immunity. The efficient regulation of immune homeostasis and promotion or inhibition of immune responses is required for a balanced response. Trained immunity-based vaccines can serve as potent immune stimuli and help in the clearance of pathogens in the body through multiple or heterologous effects and confer protection against nonspecific and specific pathogens. This review highlights various features of trained immunity and its applications in developing novel therapeutics and vaccines, along with certain detrimental effects, challenges as well as future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh Bindu
- Immunology Section, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Satyabrata Dandapat
- Immunology Section, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rajendran Manikandan
- Immunology Section, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Murali Dinesh
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anbazhagan Subbaiyan
- Division of Bacteriology and Mycology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Pashupathi Mani
- Division of Animal Biochemistry, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Manish Dhawan
- Department of Microbiology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research, The Trafford Group of Colleges, Manchester, UK
| | - Ruchi Tiwari
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, India
| | - Muhammad Bilal
- School of Life Science and Food Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, China
| | - Talha Bin Emran
- Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Saikat Mitra
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangldesh
| | - Ali A. Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan
| | - Abbas Al Mutair
- Research Center, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
- College of Nursing, Princess Norah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- School of Nursing, Wollongong University, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Zainab Al Alawi
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad Alhumaid
- Administration of Pharmaceutical Care, Al-Ahsa Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Obnial JC, Suzuki M, Escuadra CJ, Austria JT, Ponce MJM, Cunanan E. Effectiveness of Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccination policies in reducing infection and mortality of COVID-19: a systematic review. Glob Health Res Policy 2022; 7:42. [PMID: 36336688 PMCID: PMC9638327 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-022-00275-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 vaccination has been advocated as the most effective way to curb the pandemic. But with its inequitable distribution and slow rollout, especially in low- to middle- income countries, it will still take a long time before herd immunity is achieved. Alternative measures must therefore be explored to bolster current COVID-19 vaccination efforts. In particular, the Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine has been studied extensively as to its proposed conferment of non-specific immunity against different infections, including COVID-19. The aim of this study, therefore, is to evaluate the current evidence on the effectiveness of national BCG vaccination policies in reducing infection and mortality of COVID-19. METHODS A systematic review was conducted between April to August 2021 following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA-P) guidelines. Literature was retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane, HERDIN, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Western Pacific Region Index Medicus (WPRIM). Studies conducted from January 2020 to August 2021 that fell within Level 1A to 2C of the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine were included in the review. Quality assessment was performed using the appropriate Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool and a quality assessment checklist for ecological studies adapted from Betran et al. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies were included in this review. Nine studies reported significant association between BCG vaccination policies and COVID-19 outcomes, even when controlling for confounding variables. In addition, among other mandated vaccines, such as pneumococcal, influenza, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, and measles, only BCG vaccination showed significant association with decreased COVID-19 adverse outcomes. However, other factors also showed positive association with COVID-19 outcomes, particularly markers of high economic status of countries, higher median age, and greater population densities. CONCLUSION The lower incidence and mortality of COVID-19 in countries with mandated BCG vaccination may not solely be attributable to BCG vaccination policies, but there is still some evidence that demonstrates a possible protective effect. Clinical trials must be continued before recommendations of BCG vaccinations are to be used as an alternative or booster vaccine against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mystie Suzuki
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
| | - Catherine Joy Escuadra
- College of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.,Department of Education, Graduate School, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Elaine Cunanan
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.,University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines
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Bamorovat M, Sharifi I, Aflatoonian MR, Karamoozian A, Tahmouresi A, Jafarzadeh A, Heshmatkhah A, Sharifi F, Salarkia E, Khaleghi T, Khosravi A, Nooshadokht M, Zarandi MB, Barghi M. Prophylactic effect of cutaneous leishmaniasis against COVID-19: a case-control field assessment. Int J Infect Dis 2022; 122:155-161. [PMID: 34571149 PMCID: PMC8461267 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.09.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We assessed the potential relationship between COVID-19 and laboratory-confirmed cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL)-registered cases with a history of scarring, compared with volunteer participants without history of CL. METHODS This case-control retrospective study was conducted in southeastern Iran with a high anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) burden. RESULTS Overall, n=1010 CL cases (n=479 male, n=531 female) were evaluated for infection with SARS-CoV-2. In the CL case group, 2 men and 1 woman (0.3% in total) had a mild form of COVID-19 disease; none were hospitalized or died. In contrast, of n=2020 participants without history of CL, n=57 (2.9%) contracted laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, including mild (66.7%), hospitalized (26.3%), critical (3.5%) and fatal (3.5%). There was a strong negative association between CL infection and COVID-19. The burden of COVID-19 in CL-cured participants significantly reduced the morbidity (odds ratio: 0.12; CI: 0.03-0.30; P <0.001) and mortality (percentile: -4.10, -0.02). CONCLUSION Participants with a history of CL scar had significantly reduced incidence of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. The cross-protection mediated by CL may retard COVID-19 in endemic countries. However, further longitudinal studies are needed to explore the potential profile and duration of this protection offered by CL against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Bamorovat
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Reza Aflatoonian
- Research Center for Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ali Karamoozian
- Research Center for Modeling in Health, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Abdollah Jafarzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Amireh Heshmatkhah
- Dadbin Health Clinic, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sharifi
- Pharmaceutics Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ehsan Salarkia
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Tabandeh Khaleghi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ahmad Khosravi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Maryam Nooshadokht
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Pathobiology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mehdi Borhani Zarandi
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Maryam Barghi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
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Gong W, Mao Y, Li Y, Qi Y. BCG Vaccination: A potential tool against COVID-19 and COVID-19-like Black Swan incidents. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 108:108870. [PMID: 35597119 PMCID: PMC9113676 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19), and its variants have brought unprecedented
impacts to the global public health system, politics, economy, and other
fields. Although more than ten COVID-19 specific vaccines have been
approved for emergency use, COVID-19 prevention and control still face
many challenges. Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) is the only authorized
vaccine used to fight against tuberculosis (TB), it has been hypothesized
that BCG may prevent and control COVID-19 based on BCG-induced
nonspecific immune responses. Herein, we summarized: 1) The nonspecific
protection effects of BCG, such as prophylactic protection effects of BCG
on nonmycobacterial infections, immunotherapy effects of BCG vaccine, and
enhancement effect of BCG vaccine on unrelated vaccines; 2) Recent
evidence of BCG's efficacy against SARS-COV-2 infection from ecological
studies, analytical analyses, clinical trials, and animal studies; 3)
Three possible mechanisms of BCG vaccine and their effects on COVID-19
control including heterologous immunity, trained immunity, and
anti-inflammatory effect. We hope that this review will encourage more
scientists to investigate further BCG induced non-specific immune
responses and explore their mechanisms, which could be a potential tool
for addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19-like “Black Swan”
events to reduce the impacts of infectious disease outbreaks on public
health, politics, and economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenping Gong
- Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory/Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The 8(th) Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Yingqing Mao
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing 210002, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yuexi Li
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing 210002, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Yong Qi
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing 210002, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Abbas AM, Rashed ME, El-Gebaly E, AbdelAllah NH, Gaber Y. Comparative evaluation of the humoral immune interaction when BCG and conjugated meningococcal vaccines combined or co-administrated in mice. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 84:101778. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Cao Y, Li H. Toward controlling of a pandemic: How self-control ability influences willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2021; 188:111447. [PMID: 34898776 PMCID: PMC8648581 DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.111447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
What influences people's vaccine attitudes and intentions in the combat against the COVID-19 pandemic? Extending beyond health factors, the present research examines whether non-health-specific factors—such as one's self-control ability—influence individual attitudes toward vaccination. Drawing on the social psychology literature, we propose that self-control, which is often associated with adherence to social norms and with engagement in socially desirable behaviors, can lead to more favorable attitudes toward vaccines. Study 1 provided correlational evidence for our theoretical perspective that students scoring high on trait self-control expressed less vaccine hesitancy than students scoring low on self-control. Employing a more representative population, Study 2 examined the relationship with behaviors. It was found that non-student adults with higher self-control strength levels were more likely to accept vaccine appointments opportunities than those with lower self-control strength levels. Using an experimental design, Study 3 found that participants exerting a high level of effort for attentional self-control in the incongruent Stroop task condition showed lower COVID-19 vaccine acceptance than participants in the congruent condition. In sum, our research provides the first experimental evidence that high self-control can have a reliable impact on individual perceptions of vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Cao
- School of Foreign Languages, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, China.,Bilingual Cognition and Development Lab, Center for Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, China
| | - Heng Li
- College of International Studies, Southwest University, China.,Bilingual Cognition and Development Lab, Center for Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, China
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Effect of BCG Revaccination on Occupationally Exposed Medical Personnel Vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113179. [PMID: 34831403 PMCID: PMC8617982 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The production of specific neutralizing antibodies by individuals is thought to be the best option for reducing the number of patients with severe COVID-19, which is the reason why multiple vaccines are currently being administered worldwide. We aimed to explore the effect of revaccination with BCG, on the response to a subsequent anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, in persons occupationally exposed to COVID-19 patients. Two groups of 30 randomized participants were selected: one group received a BCG revaccination, and the other group received a placebo. Subsequently, both groups were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. After each round of vaccination, the serum concentration of Th1/Th2 cytokines was determined. At the end of the protocol, neutralizing antibodies were determined and the HLA-DRB loci were genotyped. The participants from the BCG group and anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine group had increased serum cytokine concentrations (i.e., IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-18, GM-CSF, INF-γ, and TNF-α) and higher neutralizing antibody titers, compared to the group with Placebo–anti-SARS-CoV-2. Twelve HLA-DRB1 alleles were identified in the Placebo–anti-SARS-CoV-2 group, and only nine in the group revaccinated with BCG. The DRB1*04 allele exhibited increased frequency in the Placebo–anti-SARS-CoV-2 group; however, no confounding effects were found with this allele. We conclude that revaccination with BCG synergizes with subsequent vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in occupationally exposed personnel.
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Pépin J, Labbé AC, Carignan A, Parent ME, Yu J, Grenier C, Beauchemin S, De Wals P, Valiquette L, Rousseau MC. Does BCG provide long-term protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection? A case-control study in Quebec, Canada. Vaccine 2021; 39:7300-7307. [PMID: 34493410 PMCID: PMC8354805 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Early in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, before severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines became available, it was hypothesized that BCG (Bacillus Calmette–Guérin), which stimulates innate immunity, could provide protection against SARS-CoV-2. Numerous ecological studies, plagued by methodological deficiencies, revealed a country-level association between BCG use and lower COVID-19 incidence and mortality. We aimed to determine whether BCG administered in early life decreased the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in adulthood and the severity of COVID-19. Methods This case-control study was conducted in Quebec, Canada. Cases were patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification test performed at two hospitals between March–October 2020. Controls were identified among patients with non-COVID-19 samples processed by the same microbiology laboratories during the same period. Enrolment was limited to individuals born in Quebec between 1956 and 1976, whose vaccine status was accessible in a computerized registry of 4.2 million BCG vaccinations. Results We recruited 920 cases and 2123 controls. Fifty-four percent of cases (n = 424) and 53% of controls (n = 1127) had received BCG during childhood (OR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.89–1.21), while 12% of cases (n = 114) and 11% of controls (n = 235) had received two or more BCG doses (OR: 1.14; 95% CI: 0.88–1.46). After adjusting for age, sex, material deprivation, recruiting hospital and occupation there was no evidence of protection conferred by BCG against SARS-CoV-2 (AOR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.84–1.21). Among cases, 77 (8.4%) needed hospitalization and 18 (2.0%) died. The vaccinated were as likely as the unvaccinated to require hospitalization (AOR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.62–1.67) or to die (AOR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.32–2.39). Conclusions BCG does not provide long-term protection against symptomatic COVID-19 or severe forms of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Pépin
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12ième Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Annie-Claude Labbé
- Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont - CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal, 5415 Boulevard de l'Assomption, Montreal, Quebec H1T 2M4, Canada; Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Pavillon Roger-Gaudry, 2900 Boulevard Edouard Montpetit, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Alex Carignan
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12ième Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Marie-Elise Parent
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 531, boul. des Prairies, Laval, Quebec H7V 1B7, Canada
| | - Jennifer Yu
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 531, boul. des Prairies, Laval, Quebec H7V 1B7, Canada
| | - Cynthia Grenier
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12ième Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Stéphanie Beauchemin
- Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont - CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal, 5415 Boulevard de l'Assomption, Montreal, Quebec H1T 2M4, Canada
| | - Philippe De Wals
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Université Laval, 2725 Ch Ste-Foy, Quebec, Quebec G1V 4G5, Canada
| | - Louis Valiquette
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12ième Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Marie-Claude Rousseau
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 531, boul. des Prairies, Laval, Quebec H7V 1B7, Canada.
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12
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Paediatric Contacts of Adult COVID-19 Patients: Clinical Parameters, Risk Factors, and Outcome. Int J Pediatr 2021; 2021:2141128. [PMID: 34188687 PMCID: PMC8192208 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2141128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is insufficient data in Pakistan and in South Asia regarding paediatric COVID-19 demographics and related parameters. The main aim of this study was to assess the paediatric population exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection, their clinical parameters, risk factors, and outcome. Methods This was a descriptive retrospective study conducted at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and Federal General Hospital Islamabad from 23rd July 2020 to 22nd August 2020. All paediatric contacts (≤13 years) of one hundred adult COVID-19 patients were included. Data of the index cases was taken from the medical records. Paediatric data was collected on the phone using a predesigned proforma. Results There were 137 paediatric contacts of 100 adult COVID-19 index cases. The index cases were predominantly males (67%) and belonged to the middle socioeconomic class (89%), and 14% succumbed to the disease. Females had more paediatric contacts. The mean age of contacts was 6.6 years, and the majority (80%) developed no symptoms. Among the symptomatic contacts, fever and cough were the most common symptoms. None of the contacts developed dyspnoea or required hospitalization. Majority of the contacts had been vaccinated with the BCG vaccine. Testing for COVID-19 was done in only 77 (56%) contacts, 25 (32%) by the government team, and 52 (67%) privately. A higher number of symptomatic contacts were positive (15/17 (88%)) as compared to that of the asymptomatic contacts (6/60 (10%)) (p = 0.002). Development of symptoms in the contacts was associated with the history of respiratory illnesses, recurrent infections, use of hematinics, a positive COVID-test result, and health professionals being index cases (p ≤ 0.01). Parents with higher education and in the health profession and the families of symptomatic contacts reported better compliance with quarantine regulations. Conclusion A significant number of children were exposed to adult COVID-19 patients. Most paediatric contacts remained asymptomatic. Children with preexisting medical conditions and with parents in health profession were susceptible to infection.
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13
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Rabaan AA, Al-Ahmed SH, Muhammad J, Khan A, Sule AA, Tirupathi R, Mutair AA, Alhumaid S, Al-Omari A, Dhawan M, Tiwari R, Sharun K, Mohapatra RK, Mitra S, Bilal M, Alyami SA, Emran TB, Moni MA, Dhama K. Role of Inflammatory Cytokines in COVID-19 Patients: A Review on Molecular Mechanisms, Immune Functions, Immunopathology and Immunomodulatory Drugs to Counter Cytokine Storm. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:436. [PMID: 33946736 PMCID: PMC8145892 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9050436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a severe pandemic of the current century. The vicious tentacles of the disease have been disseminated worldwide with unknown complications and repercussions. Advanced COVID-19 syndrome is characterized by the uncontrolled and elevated release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppressed immunity, leading to the cytokine storm. The uncontrolled and dysregulated secretion of inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines is positively associated with the severity of the viral infection and mortality rate. The secretion of various pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 leads to a hyperinflammatory response by recruiting macrophages, T and B cells in the lung alveolar cells. Moreover, it has been hypothesized that immune cells such as macrophages recruit inflammatory monocytes in the alveolar cells and allow the production of large amounts of cytokines in the alveoli, leading to a hyperinflammatory response in severely ill patients with COVID-19. This cascade of events may lead to multiple organ failure, acute respiratory distress, or pneumonia. Although the disease has a higher survival rate than other chronic diseases, the incidence of complications in the geriatric population are considerably high, with more systemic complications. This review sheds light on the pivotal roles played by various inflammatory markers in COVID-19-related complications. Different molecular pathways, such as the activation of JAK and JAK/STAT signaling are crucial in the progression of cytokine storm; hence, various mechanisms, immunological pathways, and functions of cytokines and other inflammatory markers have been discussed. A thorough understanding of cytokines' molecular pathways and their activation procedures will add more insight into understanding immunopathology and designing appropriate drugs, therapies, and control measures to counter COVID-19. Recently, anti-inflammatory drugs and several antiviral drugs have been reported as effective therapeutic drug candidates to control hypercytokinemia or cytokine storm. Hence, the present review also discussed prospective anti-inflammatory and relevant immunomodulatory drugs currently in various trial phases and their possible implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A. Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Shamsah H. Al-Ahmed
- Specialty Paediatric Medicine, Qatif Central Hospital, Qatif 32654, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Javed Muhammad
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 22620, Pakistan;
| | - Amjad Khan
- Department of Public Health/Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 22620, Pakistan;
| | - Anupam A Sule
- Medical Director of Informatics and Outcomes, St Joseph Mercy Oakland, Pontiac, MI 48341, USA;
| | - Raghavendra Tirupathi
- Department of Medicine Keystone Health, Penn State University School of Medicine, Hershey, PA 16801, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Wellspan Chambersburg and Waynesboro (Pa.) Hospitals, Chambersburg, PA 16801, USA
| | - Abbas Al Mutair
- Research Center, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Alahsa 36342, Saudi Arabia;
- College of Nursing, Prince Nora University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
- School of Nursing, Wollongong University, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Saad Alhumaid
- Administration of Pharmaceutical Care, Ministry of Health, Alahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Awad Al-Omari
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia;
- Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group, Critical Care and Infection Control Department, Research Centre, Riyadh 11372, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manish Dhawan
- Department of Microbiology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141027, Punjab, India;
- The Trafford Group of Colleges, Manchester WA14 5PQ, UK
| | - Ruchi Tiwari
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Uttar Pradesh; Pandit DeenDayal Upadhyaya PashuChikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go AnusandhaSansthan (DUVASU), Mathura 281001, Uttar Pradesh, India;
| | - Khan Sharun
- Division of Surgery, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mathura 281001, Uttar Pradesh, India;
| | - Ranjan K. Mohapatra
- Department of Chemistry, Government College of Engineering, Keonjhar 758002, Odisha, India;
| | - Saikat Mitra
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh; or
| | - Muhammad Bilal
- School of Life Science and Food Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian 223003, China;
| | - Salem A. Alyami
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh 11432, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Talha Bin Emran
- Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong 4381, Bangladesh;
| | - Mohammad Ali Moni
- WHO Collaborating Centre on eHealth, UNSW Digital Health, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly 243122, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Su WJ, Chang CH, Wang JL, Chen SF, Yang CH. COVID-19 Severity and Neonatal BCG Vaccination among Young Population in Taiwan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:4303. [PMID: 33919644 PMCID: PMC8074147 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18084303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Data have not been reported to explore the relation between COVID-19 severity and BCG vaccination status at the individual patient level. METHODS Taiwan has a nationwide neonatal BCG vaccination program that was launched in 1965. The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control established a web-based National Immunization Information System (NISS) in 2003 and included all citizens' BCG vaccination records in NISS for those born after 1985. We identified COVID-19 Taiwanese patients born after 1985 between 21 January and 19 March 2021. Study participants were further classified into ages 4-24 years (birth year 1996-2016) and 25-33 years (birth year 1986-1995). We described their clinical syndrome defined by the World Health Organization and examined the relation between the COVID-19 severity and BCG vaccination status. RESULTS In the 4-24 age group, among 138 BCG vaccinated individuals, 80.4% were asymptomatic or had mild disease, while 17.4% had moderate disease, 1.5% had severe disease, and 0.7% had acute respiratory distress syndrome but none of them died. In contrast, all 6 BCG unvaccinated individuals in this age group experienced mild illness. In the 25-33 age group, moderate disease occurred in 14.2% and severe disease occurred in 0.9% of the 106 patients without neonatal BCG vaccination records, as compared to 19.2% had moderate disease and none had severe or critical disease of the 78 patients with neonatal BCG vaccination records. CONCLUSIONS Our finding indicated that BCG immunization might not relate to COVID-19 severity in the young population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Ju Su
- Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei 100, Taiwan; (W.-J.S.); (S.-F.C.)
| | - Chia-Hsuin Chang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan;
| | - Jiun-Ling Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan 701, Taiwan;
| | - Shu-Fong Chen
- Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei 100, Taiwan; (W.-J.S.); (S.-F.C.)
| | - Chin-Hui Yang
- Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei 100, Taiwan; (W.-J.S.); (S.-F.C.)
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15
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Nachega JB, Maeurer M, Sam-Agudu NA, Chakaya J, Katoto PDM, Zumla A. Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine and potential cross-protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection - Assumptions, knowns, unknowns and need for developing an accurate scientific evidence base. Int J Infect Dis 2021; 113 Suppl 1:S78-S81. [PMID: 33794380 PMCID: PMC8006492 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.03.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
After a century of controversies on its usefulness in protection against TB, underlying mechanisms of action, and benefits in various groups and geographical areas, the BCG vaccine is yet again a focus of global attention- this time due to the global COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Recent studies have shown that human CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells primed with a BCG-derived peptide developed high reactivity to its corresponding SARS-CoV-2-derived peptide. Furthermore, BCG vaccine has been shown to substantially increase interferon-gamma (IFN-g) production and its effects on CD4+ T-cells and these non-specific immune responses through adjuvant effect could be harnessed as cross protection against severe forms of COVID-19.The completion of ongoing BGG trials is important as they may shed light on the mechanisms underlying BCG-mediated immunity and could lead to improved efficacy, increased tolerance of treatment, and identification of other ways of combining BCG with other immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean B Nachega
- Department of Medicine and Center for Infectious Diseases, Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, and Center for Global Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
| | - Markus Maeurer
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal; Medizinische Klinik, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany; Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
| | - Nadia A Sam-Agudu
- International Research Center of Excellence, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria; Institute of Human Virology and Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA; Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
| | - Jeremiah Chakaya
- Department of Medicine, Therapeutics, Dermatology and Psychiatry, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya; Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
| | - Patrick D M Katoto
- Department of Medicine and Center for Infectious Diseases, Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa; Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
| | - Alimuddin Zumla
- Department of Medicine, Therapeutics, Dermatology and Psychiatry, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya; Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
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