[A study on the use of mycobacterium vaccine in the treatment of tuberculous pleurisy].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of immunotherapy with mycobacterium vaccine in patients with tuberculous pleurisy.


METHODS
The time for effusion resolution and lymphocyte counts in the effusions were observed in patients with tuberculous pleurisy who received anti-tuberculous therapy and thoracentesis (group A) or anti-tuberculous therapy and thoracentesis plus intramuscularly administered polysaccharide nucleic acid fraction of Bacillus Calmette Guerin (PSN-BCG,) (group S). In situ end-labeling technique of fragment DNA was used to detect the apoptosis of lymphocytes in the effusions.


RESULTS
The average resolution times in group A and group S were 21.2 days and 28.7 days respectively (P < 0.01). The lymphocyte counts in the two groups after 1 week, 2 week, and 3 week therapy were 1.6 x 10(9)/L (A) and 2.1 x 10(9)/L (S) (P < 0.01), 0.83 x 10(9)/L and 1.52 x 10(9)/L (P < 0.01), 0.55 x 10(9)/L and 1.16 x 10(9)/L (P < 0.01) respectively. The average apoptotic half-time was 94 h (A) and 124 h (S) (P < 0.01), 84 h and 123 h (P < 0.01), 79 h and 120 h (P < 0.01) respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Mycobacterium vaccine was found to prolong lymphocyte activation, inhibit lymphocyte apoptosis, and delay the resolution of pleural effusions. It was found not helpful as an adjunct therapy for tuberculous pleurisy.
Zhou
Xiangdong
X
Department of Respiration, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing University of Medical Sciences, Chongqing 400010, China.
Lan
Jian
J
Zhang
Ting
T
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D014396:Tuberculosis, Pleural / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D001500:BCG Vaccine