Intravescical instillation of Calmette-Guérin bacillus and COVID-19 risk. Issue 2 (1st February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fedeli, Ugo; Porreca, Angelo; Colicchia, Michele; Schievano, Elena; Artibani, Walter; Biasio, Luigi Roberto; Palù, Giorgio
• Is Part Of: Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics. Volume 17:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 416
• Page End: 417
• Publication Date: 2021-02-01
• Subjects: BCG -- bladder Cancer -- Covid-19 -- epidemiology; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1805994
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2164-5515

Abstract

ABSTRACT: 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.