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Updated: Aug 24, 2026
Protective Efficacy and Pulmonary Immune Response Following Subcutaneous and Intranasal BCG Administration in Mice
Published on: September 19, 2016
[Percutaneous or intradermal BCG vaccine?]
1Dep. de Pediatria da FMUSP, and Instituto da Criança do Hospital das Clínicas da Fac. de Medicina da Univ. da São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP. luciafb@icr.hcnet.usp.br
Objective:
To compare the intradermal and percutaneous routes of BCG administration.
Sources Of Data:
A review of the literature published between 1987 and 2002 was carried out in the MEDLINE and Lilacs databases. The following key words were used: BCG vaccine/administration, adverse effects, efficacy, tuberculosis/prevention and control. Some articles published before 1987 were included because of their relevance to the topic.
Summary Of The Findings:
There are no clinical studies comparing the efficacy of intradermal and percutaneous BCG. Percutaneous BCG causes a weaker reaction, however it is also less efficient in stimulating gamma-interferon production by Th1-lymphocytes, which is considered as the best marker of the anti-tuberculin immune response.
Conclusions:
In vivo and in vitro studies suggest a better immune response with intradermal BCG. The intradermal method should be recommended for BCG administration.
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