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...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ugo Fedeli, Angelo Porreca, Michele Colicchia, Elena Schievano, Walter Artibani, Luigi Roberto Biasio, Giorgio Palù
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2021-02-01
Series:Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2020.1805994
Description
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.
ISSN:2164-5515
2164-554X