BCG vaccine, is it effective after tuberculosis?

BCG vaccine, is it effective after tuberculosis?
Reactions to the arms of children after the injection of the BCG vaccine. KUCHUGURINA IRINA / o1559kip – stock.adobe.com

Skew – A genetic study explains how the century-old bacilli have so-called “non-specific” effects, modifying children’s immunity.

It started out of epidemiological curiosity. In the 1920s, in Sweden, doctor Karl Neslund was surprised that children vaccinated with the BCG vaccine newly introduced into the country died two to three times less often than others. His hypothesis: the “Bacillus Calmette and Jeeran” vaccine against tuberculosis Developed at the Pasteur Institute in Lille and first tested in 1921, it is said to have “nonspecific effects”. In other words, side effects, but they are desirable, which would protect against pathogens other than they were initially targeted. Since then, observations have accumulated, particularly in Africa: the BCG vaccine (and other live virus vaccines such as the oral polio vaccine, or measles vaccine) in the year following its injection can prevent up to 30% of infections in newborns and especially the organ Respiratory.

Studies have shown that this protection Associated with epigenetic modifications (Changes in…

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About the Author: Irene Alves

"Bacon ninja. Guru do álcool. Explorador orgulhoso. Ávido entusiasta da cultura pop."

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