The benefits and risks of bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccination among infants at high risk for both tuberculosis and severe combined immunodeficiency: assessment by Markov model.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is given to Canadian Aboriginal neonates in selected communities. Severe reactions and deaths associated with BCG have been reported among infants born with immunodeficiency syndromes. The main objective of this study was to estimate threshold values for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) incidence, above which BCG is associated with greater risk than benefit.

Methods

A Markov model was developed to simulate the natural histories of tuberculosis (TB) and SCID in children from birth to 14 years. The annual risk of tuberculous infection (ARI) and SCID incidence were varied in analyses. The model compared a scenario of no vaccination to intervention with BCG. Appropriate variability and uncertainty analyses were conducted. O

SUBMITTER: Clark M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1458340 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature