Previous BCG vaccination is associated with less severe clinical progression of COVID-19

Background: BCG vaccination, originally used to prevent tuberculosis, is known to “train” the immune system to improve defence against viral respiratory infections. We investigated whether a previous BCG vaccination is associated with less severe clinical progression of COVID-19./ Methods: A case-control study comparing the proportion with a BCG vaccine scar (indicating previous vaccination) in cases and controls presenting with COVID-19 to health units in Brazil. Cases were subjects with severe COVID-19 (O2 saturation < 90%, severe respiratory effort, severe pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, sepsis, and septic shock). Controls had COVID-19 not meeting the definition of “severe” above. Unconditional regression was used to estimate vaccine protection against clinical progression to severe disease, with strict control for age, comorbidity, sex, educational level, race/colour, and municipality. Internal matching and conditional regression were used for sensitivity analysis./ Results: BCG was associated with high protection against COVID-19 clinical progression, over 87% (95% CI 74–93%) in subjects aged 60 or less and 35% (95% CI − 44–71%) in older subjects./ Conclusions: This protection may be relevant for public health in settings where COVID-19 vaccine coverage is still low and may have implications for research to identify vaccine candidates for COVID-19 that are broadly protective against mortality from future variants. Further research into the immunomodulatory effects of BCG may inform COVID-19 therapeutic research.

Previous BCG vaccination is associated with less severe clinical progression of COVID-19

BACKGROUND: BCG vaccination, originally used to prevent tuberculosis, is known to "train" the immune system to improve defence against viral respiratory infections. We investigated whether a previous BCG vaccination is associated with less severe clinical progression of COVID-19 METHODS: A case-control study comparing the proportion with a BCG vaccine scar (indicating previous vaccination) in cases and controls presenting with COVID-19 to health units in Brazil. Cases were subjects with severe COVID-19 (O2 saturation < 90%, severe respiratory effort, severe pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, sepsis, and septic shock). Controls had COVID-19 not meeting the definition of "severe" above. Unconditional regression was used to estimate vaccine protection against clinical progression to severe disease, with strict control for age, comorbidity, sex, educational level, race/colour, and municipality. Internal matching and conditional regression were used for sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: BCG was associated with high protection against COVID-19 clinical progression, over 87% (95% CI 74-93%) in subjects aged 60 or less and 35% (95% CI - 44-71%) in older subjects. CONCLUSIONS: This protection may be relevant for public health in settings where COVID-19 vaccine coverage is still low and may have implications for research to identify vaccine candidates for COVID-19 that are broadly protective against mortality from future variants. Further research into the immunomodulatory effects of BCG may inform COVID-19 therapeutic research

Associação entre vitamina D, controle glicêmico e complicações microvasculares no diabetes tipo 1

Objectives: To assess the association between vitamin D levels, parameters of metabolic control and presence of microvascular complications in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. Methods: Analytical and observational cross-sectional study of medical records of fifty patients carried out in 2016 in Fortaleza, Ceará. Clinical and epidemiological data were analyzed: sex, age, BMI (body mass index), skin color, glycemic control, duration of diabetes, daily insulin dose, presence of microvascular complications, and vitamin D assay by chemiluminescence. Fisher’s test, students’s t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used with p< 0.05. Results: Vitamin D deficiency was seen in 34 (68%) patients, with a mean of 25(OH) vitamin D of 23.24±4.29 ng/mL in the Vitamin D deficiency group and 38.22±7.72 ng/mL in the normal Vitamin D group. In addition, 37 patients (78%) exhibited glycated hemoglobin above 7%, which was similar in booth groups. The daily insulin dose in the vitamin D deficiency group was higher than in the normal vitamin D group, 54.81+27.4 vs 55.55+19.2, but with no significant association with vitamin D levels. Vitamin D levels were not associated with clinical and epidemiological such as: sex, age, BMI, skin color, glycemic control, duration of diabetes, daily insulin dose and presence of microvascular complications or insulin daily dose. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was present in most of the T1DM patients analyzed. However, such deficiency was not associated with the clinical and epidemiological variables analyzed.Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación entre los niveles de vitamina D, los parámetros del control metabólico y la presencia de complicaciones microvasculares de pacientes con Diabetes Mellitus Tipo I (DM1). Métodos: Estudio transversal, analítico y observacional realizado en 2016 en Fortaleza, Ceará, con historiales clínicos de cincuenta pacientes. Se investigaron los siguientes datos clínicos y epidemiológicos: el sexo, la edad, el IMC (Índice de Masa Corporal), el color de la piel, el control glicémico, la duración del diabetes, la dosis diaria de insulina, la presencia de complicaciones microvasculares y la dosificación de vitamina D por quimioluminiscencia. Se utilizaron las pruebas ecxato de Fisher, t-Student y Mann-Whitney con p< 0,05. Resultados: Se observó la deficiencia de vitamina D en 34 (68%) pacientes con media de 25(OH) de vitamina D, 23,24 ± 4,29 ng/mL en el grupo de vitamina D deficiente y 38,22± 7,72 ng/mL en el grupo de vitamina D suficiente. Además, 37 pacientes (78%) presentaron hemoglobina glicosilada por encima del 7% y semejante para los dos grupos. La dosis diaria de insulina en el grupo de vitamina D deficiente ha sido mayor que en el grupo de vitamina D suficiente, 54,81 + 27,4 vs 55,55 + 19,2, pero sin asociación significativa con los niveles de vitamina D. El nivel sérico de vitamina D no se ha asociado con los parámetros clínicos y epidemiológicos como el sexo, la edad, el IMC, el color de la piel, el control glicémico, la duración del diabetes, la dosis diaria de insulina y la presencia de complicaciones microvasculares. Conclusión: La deficiencia de vitamina D se dio en la mayoría de los pacientes con DM1 evaluados. Sin embargo, no hubo asociación entre la deficiencia y las variables clínicas y epidemiológicas analizadas.Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre os níveis de vitamina D, os parâmetros do controle metabólico e a presença de complicações microvasculares em pacientes portadores de diabetes mellitus tipo1 (T1DM). Métodos: Estudo transversal, analítico e observacional, realizado em 2016, em Fortaleza, Ceará, com prontuários de cinquenta pacientes. Investigaram-se os dados clínicos e epidemiológicos: sexo, idade, IMC (índice de massa corporal), cor da pele, controle glicêmico, duração do diabetes, dose diária de insulina, presença de complicações microvasculares e dosagem de vitamina D por quimiluminescência. Utilizaram-se os testes exato de Fisher, t-Student e Mann-Whitney com p< 0,05. Resultados: Observou-se deficiência de vitamina D em 34 (68%) pacientes, com média de 25(OH) de vitamina D, 23,24 ± 4,29 ng/mL no grupo vitamina D deficiente e 38,22± 7,72 ng/mL no grupo vitamina D suficiente. Além disso, 37 pacientes (78%) apresentaram hemoglobina glicada acima de 7% e semelhante nos dois grupos. A dose diária de insulina no grupo vitamina D deficiente foi maior que no grupo vitamina D suficiente, 54,81 + 27,4 vs 55,55 + 19,2, mas sem associação significativa com níveis de vitamina D. O nível sérico da vitamina D não se associou com parâmetros clínicos e epidemiológicos, como: sexo, idade, IMC, cor da pele, controle glicêmico, duração do diabetes, dose diária de insulina e presença de complicações microvasculares. Conclusão: A deficiência de vitamina D esteve presente na maioria dos pacientes com T1DM avaliados. No entanto, sem associação entre essa deficiência e as variáves clínicas e epidemiológicas analisadas

Agrupação de casos de câncer em adultos jovens indígenas residindo nas proximidades de linhas de transmissão de alta tensão elétrica em Bom Jesus do Tocantins, Pará, Brasil

Submitted by Fátima Lopes ([email protected]) on 2018-08-20T17:58:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 CancerClusterIndianAdults.pdf: 195221 bytes, checksum: 84acb32eb95756cb537e34b40b92468c (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Fátima Lopes ([email protected]) on 2018-08-20T18:33:13Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 CancerClusterIndianAdults.pdf: 195221 bytes, checksum: 84acb32eb95756cb537e34b40b92468c (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T18:33:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CancerClusterIndianAdults.pdf: 195221 bytes, checksum: 84acb32eb95756cb537e34b40b92468c (MD5) Previous issue date: 1998Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrasilCentro de Trabalho Indigenista. São Paulo, SP, BrasilEscola Naval. Ilha de Villegaignon, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Centro Federal de Tecnologia. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrasilPontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro. Departamento de Química. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrasilPontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro. Departamento de Química. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrasilUniversidade do Rio de Janeiro. Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrasilUniversidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Faculdade de Ciências Médicas. Departamento de Biologia Celular e Genética. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrasilEletrobrás. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrasilUm estudo de caso foi desenvolvido para avaliar a ocorrência de um agrupamento de casos de câncer em 1992, que se verificou em adultos jovens indígenas vivendo em aldeia na Amazônia, situada nas proximidades de duas linhas de transmissão de 500 kV, as quais começaram a operar em 1982. Determinaram-se os níveis sangüíneos atuais de DDT e pesticidas organofosforados, assim como a presença de metais em amostras de cabelo. A exposição a campos eletromagnéticos de freqüência extremamente baixa foi determinada durante diversas atividades diárias desenvolvidas pelos indígenas. Considerando-se a incidência de câncer em diferentes cidades brasileiras, a probabilidade de ocorrência ao acaso deste agrupamento de casos foi considerada remota (p<0,03, distribuição de Poisson). Níveis elevados de p,p'-DDT (mediana variando entre 26 e 58 ppb) foram observados nas amostras estudadas. A exposição contínua aos campos eletromagnéticos de freqüência extremamente baixa, a qual atingiu 95 mG abaixo das linhas de transmissão, foi observada em diversas oportunidades durante atividades diárias desenvolvidas pelos indígenas. Estudos observacionais futuros deveriam analisar a interação da exposição aos campos eletromagnéticos de freqüência extremamente baixa (50-60 Hz) subseqüente à exposição a agentes de iniciação tumoral no desenvolvimento de neoplasias.A case study was carried out to explore the occurrence of a cancer cluster in 1992 among young indian adults living in an Amazonian village near two 500 kV power transmission lines that began operating a decade ago. Current blood levels of DDT and organophosphorus pesticides and metal levels in hair samples were measured. Extremely low magnetic field exposure was determined during current daily activities carried out by the Indian villagers. Taking into account the cancer incidence rates in different Brazilian cities, the probability of the occurrence of this cluster by chance was considered remote (p< 0.003, Poisson distribution). High blood levels of p,p'-DDT (median levels ranging from 26 to 58 ppb) were observed. As a whole, this community showed a pattern of low exposure to organophosphorus pesticides, and high recent exposure was only observed in a few blood samples. Continuous exposure to extremely low electromagnetic fields originated in the power transmission lines (which reached 95.0 mG under the lines) was observed on several opportunities during daily activities carried out by Indian villagers. Further observational studies should evaluate the interaction between exposure to extremely low electromagnetic fields and prior exposure to tumor initiators in cancer development

Cancer cluster among young Indian adults living near power transmission lines in Bom Jesus do Tocantins, Pará, Brazil

A case study was carried out to explore the occurrence of a cancer cluster in 1992 among young indian adults living in an Amazonian village near two 500 kV power transmission lines that began operating a decade ago. Current blood levels of DDT and organophosphorus pesticides and metal levels in hair samples were measured. Extremely low magnetic field exposure was determined during current daily activities carried out by the Indian villagers. Taking into account the cancer incidence rates in different Brazilian cities, the probability of the occurrence of this cluster by chance was considered remote (p< 0.003, Poisson distribution). High blood levels of p,p'-DDT (median levels ranging from 26 to 58 ppb) were observed. As a whole, this community showed a pattern of low exposure to organophosphorus pesticides, and high recent exposure was only observed in a few blood samples. Continuous exposure to extremely low electromagnetic fields originated in the power transmission lines (which reached 95.0 mG under the lines) was observed on several opportunities during daily activities carried out by Indian villagers. Further observational studies should evaluate the interaction between exposure to extremely low electromagnetic fields and prior exposure to tumor initiators in cancer development

Cancer cluster among young Indian adults living near power transmission lines in Bom Jesus do Tocantins, Pará, Brazil

A case study was carried out to explore the occurrence of a cancer cluster in 1992 among young indian adults living in an Amazonian village near two 500 kV power transmission lines that began operating a decade ago. Current blood levels of DDT and organophosphorus pesticides and metal levels in hair samples were measured. Extremely low magnetic field exposure was determined during current daily activities carried out by the Indian villagers. Taking into account the cancer incidence rates in different Brazilian cities, the probability of the occurrence of this cluster by chance was considered remote (p< 0.003, Poisson distribution). High blood levels of p,p'-DDT (median levels ranging from 26 to 58 ppb) were observed. As a whole, this community showed a pattern of low exposure to organophosphorus pesticides, and high recent exposure was only observed in a few blood samples. Continuous exposure to extremely low electromagnetic fields originated in the power transmission lines (which reached 95.0 mG under the lines) was observed on several opportunities during daily activities carried out by Indian villagers. Further observational studies should evaluate the interaction between exposure to extremely low electromagnetic fields and prior exposure to tumor initiators in cancer development