BCG vaccination in low birth weight newborns: analysis of lymphocyte proliferation, IL-2 generation and intradermal reaction to PPD.
OBJECTIVE
To study vaccinal scar formation and post-vaccinal immune response in newborns with birth weight ranging from 2000 to 2499 g vaccinated in the first week of life with intradermal bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) (Moreau-Rio de Janeiro strain).


METHODS
Specific immune response to PPD was assessed in 30 low birth weight newborns (mean birth weight = 2311.7 +/- 122.1 g; mean gestational age = 38.1 +/- 1.8 weeks) in comparison to 56 control infants (mean birth weight = 3198.9 +/- 267.2 g; mean gestational age = 38.5 +/- 1.2 weeks.


RESULTS
Low birth weight infants have an efficient immune response to vaccinal stimulus when compared to control infants as judged by specific in vitro lymphocyte proliferation (mean SI = 9.7 +/- 12.9 vs SI = 8.8 +/- 10.0, P = 0.72) and IL-2 production (mean SI = 3.1 +/- 3.4 vs SI = 2.6 +/- 2.0, P = 0.38). Intradermal reaction to PPD was also comparable in both groups (mean induration diameter = 9.5 +/- 5.1 mm vs 9.6 +/- 5.0 mm, P = 0.94).


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that low birth weight newborns show a good immune response to BCG, thus reinforcing the inclusion of such infants in regular vaccination programs with intradermal BCG.
Ferreira
A A
AA
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, MT, Brazil.
Bunn-Moreno
M M
MM
Sant'Anna
C C
CC
Ferreira
M F
MF
D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000276:immunology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002455:Cell Division / Q000276:immunology; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000276:immunology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014374:Tuberculin Test
D001500:BCG Vaccine; D007376:Interleukin-2