DELHI, India (Reuters Health) May 28 - The BCG vaccine does not prevent
infection with tuberculosis but may decrease the risk of severe forms of the
disease, researchers from Turkey report in the April issue of Indian
Pediatrics.
Dr. Mustafa K secik and colleagues, from the Harran University, Sanliurfa,
evaluated 1398 school children between the ages of 6 and 9 years for evidence
of tuberculosis infection using the tuberculin test. The test was performed
using 5 tuberculin units of the purified protein derivative given
intradermally and reaction noted after 48 to 72 hours.
A skin induration of at least 15 mm in BCG-vaccinated children and at least
10 mm in unvaccinated children was considered positive and indicated
tuberculosis infection, they note.
Based on the skin scar, only 710 (50.8%) children had been administered BCG
vaccine in early infancy, the researchers observed.
Thirty-two (4.5%) vaccinated children and 45 (6.5%) non-vaccinated children
were found to be tuberculin-positive, the researchers report. However, none of
these children had active tuberculosis lesions. The researchers also noted
that tuberculin-negative rates (0 to 9 mm) were 85.6% and 93.5% in vaccinated
and non-vaccinated children, respectively.
There was no significant difference between vaccinated and non-vaccinated
children as regards their tuberculin reactivity, the researchers explain.
Thus, "BCG vaccine has no protective effect against tuberculosis infection,"
Dr. K secik and colleagues write. However, it can prevent the severe
manifestations of the disease, they add.
"Routine BCG vaccination of infants has been somewhat neglected in our
country," the team writes. "BCG vaccine should be administrated more
effectively as a method of prevention of tuberculosis on a community basis,"
they conclude.
Indian Pediatr 2002;39:362-365.
