Search

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Universidade Federal de Ciencias da Saude de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA) in Brazil examined the regional disparities in Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination coverage and tuberculosis (TB) incidence among Brazilian states. The study found that there was significant variation in BCG vaccination coverage and TB incidence among states, with only four states achieving the recommended coverage. The researchers also noted a decline in vaccination coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may increase TB incidence. The study highlights the importance of sustaining vaccination programs and implementing strategies to enhance access and uptake, particularly in states with inadequate coverage. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine have conducted a study on bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccines and their potential to boost immunogenicity. The study found that a live vaccine strain of Mycobacterium smegmatis, known as IKEPLUS, provided greater survival benefits than BCG in a murine model of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The researchers also discovered that zinc played a crucial role in the growth and formation of M. smegmatis biofilms, and that low zinc media led to better protection of mice against M. tuberculosis. However, boosting BCG vaccinated mice with zinc-containing ribosomal proteins did not increase the protection mediated by BCG. This research contributes to the development of more effective tuberculosis vaccines. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by Aalborg University in Denmark explored the association between Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine scars and self-reported chronic diseases. The study found that individuals with BCG scars had a lower prevalence of chronic diseases. The research, which included Danish healthcare workers, used logistic regression analysis to estimate the association between scar status and chronic diseases. The findings suggest that BCG vaccination may have beneficial non-specific effects. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at the UK Health Security Agency evaluated the implementation of a new neonatal BCG vaccination pathway in England. The change in the vaccination program was triggered by the introduction of a national evaluation of newborn screening for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), as the BCG vaccine is contraindicated in infants with SCID. The study found that implementing the new pathway was an iterative process, with some expressing a desire for more guidance. Challenges in meeting the 28-day vaccination target included appointment non-attendance, appointment and data systems, and staffing and resourcing. The study concluded that while the new structure for monitoring and managing the BCG vaccination program was effective, further work is needed to improve uptake rates and support the delivery of the vaccination target. [Extracted from the article]

A case report from the Hospital Central de Maputo discusses the successful management of severe BCG immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in an HIV-positive infant. BCG reactions are a common cause of IRIS in infants who start antiretroviral therapy (ART). The case involved a 5-month-old male infant who was diagnosed with HIV during hospitalization and had severe immune suppression. The infant was treated with pre-ART counseling and a non-surgical approach, which resulted in marked improvement and recovery. The report emphasizes the importance of counseling caregivers on BCG-IRIS, especially for infants with advanced HIV. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Jinan in Guangdong, China, has explored the potential of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccines in treating melanoma. The study utilized data from various databases to identify specific genes that are upregulated in BCG-treated blood samples and strongly associated with the prognosis of melanoma. The researchers found a correlation between BCG-related genes and immune cell infiltration in melanoma, suggesting that these genes could serve as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The study highlights the need for further investigation into BCG-related genes to enhance melanoma treatment and offers potential avenues for cancer therapeutics. [Extracted from the article]

A new report from University College London (UCL) discusses the potential protective role of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccines in Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. The research conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of six cohort studies, involving 47,947 participants, to evaluate the association between BCG vaccine and AD prevention. The findings suggest that intravesical BCG vaccine administration may lower the risk of AD incidence by 26% in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients. Subgroup analyses indicate a potentially notable preventive effect on AD in older adults and female participants. However, the researchers caution against interpreting these results and recommend further research on the implications of BCG vaccination for AD prevention and treatment. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at University College London (UCL) suggests that the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine may have a protective role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study analyzed six cohort studies and found that intravesical BCG vaccine administration reduced the risk of AD incidence by 26% in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients. Subgroup analyses indicated that BCG vaccination may have a preventive effect on AD in older adults and female participants. However, the researchers caution that further research is needed to fully understand the implications of BCG vaccination for AD prevention and treatment. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Department of Pediatric Immunology in Mumbai, India, focuses on the diagnosis and management of patients with mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD). The study highlights the challenges faced in diagnosing and treating MSMD patients, particularly in relation to the diverse infection spectrum observed in this population. The research emphasizes the complications associated with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccines in countries where routine BCG vaccination is practiced, as well as the prevalence of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) in non-BCG-vaccinating countries. The study also addresses the high prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in tuberculosis-endemic regions. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by UC Davis Health found that a single dose of the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine, which is used to treat tuberculosis, reduced liver tumor burden and extended the survival of mice with liver cancer. This is the first study to demonstrate the potential benefits of the BCG vaccine in treating liver cancer. The vaccine was found to reduce tissue scarring, improve liver function, lower liver lipid levels, and shrink tumors. The researchers believe that BCG immunotherapy could offer a simplified and potentially more effective treatment approach for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer. Further research is needed to explore the preventive ability of BCG and to determine the optimal dosage and timing for treatment. The study also suggests the need to investigate the impact of BCG on the gut microbiome. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, has found that the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine provides significant protection against influenza A virus infection in mice. The researchers discovered that BCG vaccination enriches conventional CD4(+) effector CX3CR1(hi) memory alpha beta T cells in the circulation and lung parenchyma, which limit early viral infection through interferon-gamma production. These findings shed light on the mechanism by which BCG offers broad protection against non-tuberculosis infections. The study was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Fonds de Recherche du Québec-Santé studentship. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has examined the effectiveness of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccines in protecting against tuberculosis. The research found that standard intradermal vaccination with BCG provides limited protection against pulmonary tuberculosis, which is a major global health threat. In contrast, respiratory Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection leads to immune-mediated containment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). The study also identified distinct gene expression signatures and immune responses associated with different routes of BCG vaccination. These findings contribute to our understanding of the immune response to tuberculosis and may inform the development of more effective vaccines. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Sao Paulo (USP) explores the current understanding of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-mediated trained immunity and its potential for controlling intracellular infections. BCG is an attenuated bacterium derived from virulent Mycobacterium bovis and is the only licensed vaccine used for preventing severe forms of tuberculosis in children. The study discusses the beneficial non-specific effects (NSEs) of BCG administration, which are associated with both adaptive and innate immune responses. The researchers focus on the mechanisms of BCG-mediated trained immunity, including the metabolic-epigenetic axis and the inflammasome pathway, and explore its ability to protect against various intracellular infections. They also discuss the integration of trained innate memory with adaptive memory to shape next-generation vaccines. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at Huazhong Agricultural University explores the impact of depression on the efficacy of the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine. The study used a chronic social defeat stress model in mice and found that depressed mice had higher bacterial loads in their lungs and spleens, as well as reduced T cell protective efficacy compared to control and BCG mice. The study suggests that depression promotes the generation of regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, leading to a decreased pro-inflammatory immune response to BCG vaccination. This research provides insight into the potential impact of mental conditions on vaccine efficacy. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by researchers at Chung-Ang University Hospital in Seoul, South Korea, investigated the correlation between the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and tuberculosis or bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination rate in individuals aged under 15 years. The study used worldwide data from sources such as the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization. The research found a negative correlation between the incidence of tuberculosis and T1DM in children and adolescents at the country level. However, there was no association between the BCG vaccination rate and the incidence of T1DM. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at the University Hospital Center Vaudois in Lausanne, Switzerland, has explored the use of intravesical Ty21a, an oral vaccine against typhoid fever, as a potential treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The study found that Ty21a had a better safety profile compared to the standard treatment of intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). Ty21a induced lower levels of inflammatory urinary cytokines, resulting in milder adverse events. Additionally, Ty21a stimulated immune responses and showed potential antitumor effects. Further clinical trials are needed to determine the efficacy of intravesical Ty21a as a treatment for NMIBC. [Extracted from the article]