Intravescical instillation of Calmette-Guérin bacillus and COVID-19 risk
It has been theorized that Calmette-Guérin bacillus may prevent or reduce the severity of COVID-19 through a nonspecific stimulation of the immune system. A preliminary assessment of SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and outcomes among 2803 individuals affected with high risk non-muscle-invasive bladder ca...
Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2021-02-01
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Series: | Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2020.1805994 |
Summary: | It has been theorized that Calmette-Guérin bacillus may prevent or reduce the severity of COVID-19 through a nonspecific stimulation of the immune system. A preliminary assessment of SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and outcomes among 2803 individuals affected with high risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer and treated with intra-bladder instillation of BCG, showed no evidence of a protective effect. However, the interpretation of these data need some caution, due to the low prevalence of infection (<1%) observed within this population, along with the fact that intra-bladder administration cannot mirror the usual intradermal administration of BCG, in particular in patients partially immunocompromised. Confirmation by larger prospective studies is required. |
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ISSN: | 2164-5515 2164-554X |