Does intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin for bladder cancer protect from COVID-19?

Arch Ital Urol Androl. 2024 May 9;96(2):12449. doi: 10.4081/aiua.2024.12449.

Abstract

Introduction: The study aimed to correlate the history of intravesical BCG as well as infantile BCG immunization with the incidence and severity of COVID-19 infection.

Methods: Retrospective data collection of patients with high-risk non muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) from two Canadian centers. Data collection included a history of BCG instillation, infantile immunization, and the development of COVID-19 infection. Admission and/ or mortality because of COVID-19 was reported.

Results: We could include data from 348 patients: including 188 and 160 patients from Ontario and British Columbia respectively. COVID-19 affected 15% of these patients. Intravesical BCG was used in 44% of these patients. Intravesical BCG and/or infantile BCG immunization did not correlate with the incidence of COVID-19 infection.

Conclusions: Previous intravesical BCG and/ or a history of infantile BCG vaccination were not more/ less frequent in patients who had COVID-19 infection.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / administration & dosage
  • Administration, Intravesical
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • BCG Vaccine* / administration & dosage
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ontario / epidemiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* / prevention & control

Substances

  • BCG Vaccine
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic