TB infection and BCG vaccination: are we protected from COVID-19?

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The incidence of emerging coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease is variable across the different parts of the world. Apart from travel patterns, other factors determining this difference may include host immune response. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of tuberculosis (TB) endemicity and Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) coverage on COVID-19.

Study design

This was a cross-sectional study.

Methods

We reviewed available data regarding TB incidence, BCG coverage (as per the World Health Organization), and COVID-19 incidence of 174 countries. We divided the countries into four cohorts depending on annual TB incidence and BCG coverage.

Results

Countries with high TB incidence had lower COVID-19 than countries with low TB incidence. Simila

SUBMITTER: Madan M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7260483 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature