Association Between Presence of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Vaccine Scar
and Coronavirus Disease 2019
Abstract
Objective: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is
administered for protection against tuberculosis and may also have
beneficial effects against some viral respiratory tract infections. The
low incidence and mortality of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in
countries that have BCG vaccination program is impressive, and some
studies have shared contradictory results. In this study, it was aimed
to investigate the relationship between BCG vaccination which is
confirmed by BCG scar, and the frequency and course of COVID-19.
Methods: Among 490 patients who applied to the outpatient
clinic for Pulmonary and Enfectious Diseases between March 2021 and June
2021, 400 patients who accepted to participate in the study were
included. After the consent of patients; age, gender, body mass index,
comorbidities, smoking, history and the progress of COVID-19 of these
patients were investigated; presence and number of BCG scar were
recorded by physician. Data from groups with and without COVID-19
history were compared. Results: Of the 400 patients 228 (57%)
were female. Mean age was 39.65 ± 13.53. 188 (47%) patients had a
history of COVID-19. There was no relation between presence and number
of the BCG scar and COVID-19 related hospitalization and intensive care
unit admission. When groups with and without COVID-19 history compared,
no statistically significant difference was found with the presence and
number of BCG scars (p>0,05). Conclusion: No
association was found between the presence or number of BCG scars and
the frequency and course of COVID-19 in individuals with BCG vaccination
history confirmed by the presence of BCG vaccine scars.