New disease old vaccine: Is recombinant BCG vaccine an answer for COVID-19?

ABSTRACT: Mycobacterium bovis BCG, a live attenuated tuberculosis vaccine offers protection against disseminated TB in children. BCG exhibits heterologous protective effects against unrelated infections and reduces infant mortality due to non-mycobacterial infections. Recent reports have suggested that BCG vaccination might have protective effects against COVID-19, however it is highly unlikely that BCG vaccine in its current form can offer complete protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection due to the lack of specific immunity. Nonetheless, recombinant BCG strains expressing antigens of SARS-CoV-2 may offer protection against COVID-19 due to the activation of innate as well as specific adaptive immune response. Further proven safety records of BCG in humans, its adjuvant activity and low cost manufact

SUBMITTER: Gupta PK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7386780 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature