Absence of relationship between tuberculin reactivity and asthmatic symptoms, level of FEV1 and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in BCG vaccinated young adults.
BACKGROUND
Some recent studies have suggested that bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination or mycobacterial infection early in life is inversely related to asthma. We wondered if an increase in tuberculin reactivity was inversely related to commonly used indices of asthma in a population of young adults who were BCG vaccinated at age 14.


METHODS
Men and women aged 20-44 years, randomly selected from the general population, were tuberculin tested with the epinephrine-Pirquet method with Norwegian-produced synthetic medium tuberculin (n = 588). In addition they were interviewed using eight questions on asthma symptoms and medication. Lung function and bronchial responsiveness were also tested.


RESULTS
Altogether 95% of those studied had been BCG vaccinated at age 14 (n = 558). In the 386 subjects with complete examinations, there was no relationship between a positive tuberculin reaction (> or = 4 mm) and asthma symptoms or use of asthma medication. Furthermore we did not observe any relationship between a positive tuberculin reaction and the level of forced expiratory volume (FEV1) or a positive bronchial responsiveness test, assessed as the percent of predicted of FEV1 and PD20 < 2 mg methacholine, respectively. In multiple logistic regression analyses neither respiratory symptoms, level of FEV1, nor bronchial hyperresponsiveness were related to tuberculin reactivity after adjustment for age, gender and smoking habits.


CONCLUSIONS
In this young adult population who were BCG vaccinated at the age of 14 no significant relationship existed between tuberculin reactivity and asthmatic symptoms, level of FEV1 or bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Our data does not support the hypothesis that BCG immunization is beneficial in reducing asthmatic symptoms and disease in young adults.
Jentoft
H F
HF
Department of Thoracic Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Omenaas
E
E
Eide
G E
GE
Gulsvik
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011897:Random Allocation; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014373:Tuberculin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*
D001500:BCG Vaccine; D014373:Tuberculin