Neonatal BCG protection against tuberculosis lasts for 20 years in Brazil [Short Communication]

Authors: Barreto, M.L.¹; Cunha, S.S.²; Pereira, S.M.¹; Genser, B.¹; Hijjar, M.A.³; Yury Ichihara, M.⁴; de Brito, S.C.¹; Dourado, I.¹; Cruz, A.⁵; Santa'Ana, C.⁶; Rodrigues, L.C.⁷

Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 9, Number 10, October 2005 , pp. 1171-1173(3)

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

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Abstract:

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) efficacy against pulmonary disease is highly variable; until very recently there was no evidence of protection after 10 years. In the control arm of a trial of efficacy of revaccination of schoolchildren in Brazil we found substantial protection (39%; 95%CI 9–58) of neonatal BCG against all forms of tuberculosis (TB) 15–20 years after vaccination, much longer than previously believed. This confirms recent findings from an earlier trial, and must be considered in the design of trials of new TB vaccines and in policy decisions based on assumed lack of neonatal BCG protection with time.

Keywords: BCG; neonatal effect; tuberculosis

Document Type: Short communication

Affiliations: 1: Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil 2: Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil; and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom 3: Centro de Referência Helio Fraga, FUNASA/Ministry of Health, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 4: Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil; and Funadação Nacional de Saúde (FUNASA), Ministry of Health, Salvador, Brazil 5: Centro de Enfermidades Respiratórias & Serviço de Imunologia, Department of Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil 6: Instituto de Puericultura e Pediatria Martagão Gesteira, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 7: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom