Significance of PPD Test for the Relationship Between BCG Vaccine and COVID-19 in Patients on Kidney Transplant Waiting List

Voyvoda B., Ozel S. A., Sengul E., Memik O.

Transplantation Proceedings, vol.54, no.10, pp.2677-2679, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 54 Issue: 10
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2022.08.016
  • Journal Name: Transplantation Proceedings
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.2677-2679
  • Kocaeli University Affiliated: No

Abstract

© 2022 Elsevier Inc.Background: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD) values, an indicator of BCG protection, and COVID-19 disease in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on the kidney transplant waiting list. Methods: Age, sex, dialysis type, ERSD etiologies, and PPD values of patients on the renal transplant waiting list were recorded. SARS-CoV-2 PCR data, whether the patients were previously infected with the virus, and, if infected, the severity of the disease were noted. Data were statistically compared. Results: PCR of 87 (47.02%) of 185 patients were studied; 107 of the patients were male and 78 were female, with a mean age of 52.8 years. The test result was positive for 28 patients. Of the patients for whom PCR was studied, 41 had a negative PPD result, while 46 had a positive PPD result. There was no correlation with SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity in patients with a PPD ≤ 5 mm and > 5 mm. However, patients with pneumonic infiltration who required hospitalization had a significantly higher PPD value. Conclusions: The PPD measurement, which is an indicator of BCG protection, might be a significant parameter for predicting the course of the disease in SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.