title: Protective efficacy of BCG vaccine against leprosy in southern Malaŵi.
abstract: This paper describes a matched case-control study to determine the efficacy of BCG vaccine in preventing the occurrence of leprosy in southern Malaŵi, a previously unstudied area. The BCG immunization rate amongst 145 individuals with leprosy was 44.8%, compared to 62.5% in 290 matched controls. The protective efficacy of BCG vaccine against leprosy in this region was estimated to be 63.6%; smallpox immunization had no effect. These findings support the view that BCG vaccine should be considered as a control measure in areas where leprosy is endemic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Nguyen-Van-Tam
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001500:BCG Vaccine; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008295:Malawi / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio
chemical_list: D001500:BCG Vaccine