BCG and SARS-CoV-2-What Have We Learned?

Despite controversy over the protective effect of the BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin) vaccine in preventing pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in adults, it has been used worldwide since 1921. Although the first reports in the 1930s had noted a remarkable decrease in child mortality after BCG immunization, this could not be explained solely by a decrease in mortality from TB. These observations gave rise to the suggestion of nonspecific beneficial effects of BCG vaccination, beyond the desired protection against M. tuberculosis. The existence of an innate immunity-training mechanism based on epigenetic changes was demonstrated several years ago. The emergence of the pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in 2019 revived the debate about whether the BCG vaccine can affect the immune response against the virus or other unrelated pathogens. Due to the mortality of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), it is important to verify each factor that may have a potential protective value against the severe course of COVID-19, complications, and death. This paper reviews the results of numerous retrospective studies and prospective trials which shed light on the potential of a century-old vaccine to mitigate the pandemic impact of the new virus. It should be noted, however, that although there are numerous studies intending to verify the hypothesis that the BCG vaccine may have a beneficial effect on COVID-19, there is no definitive evidence on the efficacy of the BCG vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

Dual Nature of Relationship between Mycobacteria and Cancer.

Although the therapeutic effect of mycobacteria as antitumor agents has been known for decades, recent epidemiological and experimental studies have revealed that mycobacterium-related chronic inflammation may be a possible mechanism of cancer pathogenesis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculous Mycobacterium avium complex infections have been implicated as potentially contributing to the etiology of lung cancer, whereas Mycobacterium ulcerans has been correlated with skin carcinogenesis. The risk of tumor development with chronic mycobacterial infections is thought to be a result of many host effector mechanisms acting at different stages of oncogenesis. In this paper, we focus on the nature of the relationship between mycobacteria and cancer, describing the clinical significance of mycobacteria-based cancer therapy as well as epidemiological evidence on the contribution of chronic mycobacterial infections to the increased lung cancer risk.

Hemodynamic characteristics and the occurrence of renal biopsy-related arteriovenous fistulas in native kidneys.

PURPOSE: Renal biopsy-related arteriovenous fistula (RB-AVF), although usually asymptomatic, may sometimes result in serious clinical implications. The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate the incidence of RB-AVF in native kidneys, together with the assessment of hemodynamic characteristics and the impact of the histopathological results of biopsy. METHODS: The study included 138 patients (age 46.2 ± 15.2; 70 F, 68 M), who underwent percutaneous renal biopsy (PRB) of the native kidney. In all patients, 2D and color Doppler ultrasound was performed 24 h after PRB in order to exclude RB-AVF. RESULTS: Bleeding complications in the form of hematomas were found in 136 patients (98.55 %), and 23 cases of RB-AVF were observed (16.67 %). RB-AVF group had an increased maximal hematoma diameter and reduced number of glomeruli in PRB. The segmental arteries supplying the fistulas are characterized by higher maximum flow velocity (FV) and a lower resistance index (RI) compared to the normal segmental arteries (difference 45.9 ± 20.0 cm/s and 0.252 ± 0.104, respectively). In the ROC analysis, RI ≤ 0.524 allowed to detect RB-AVF with a sensitivity of 91 % and specificity of 100 % (AUC 0.998, p < 0.001). In approximately 39 % of RB-AVF cases, 2D ultrasound detected a hyperechogenic ischemic area between the fistula and the renal capsule. CONCLUSIONS: Arteriovenous fistula is a quite frequent complication of native renal biopsy and can cause ischemia in the renal parenchyma detected by ultrasound. The arteries supplying the fistula are characterized by an increased flow velocity and reduced resistance index.

Absence of inferior vena cava in 14-year old boy associated with deep venous thrombosis and positive Mycoplasma pneumoniae serum antibodies--a case report.

BACKGROUND: Absence of the inferior vena cava is a rare vascular anomaly, which usually remains asymptomatic in childhood. It is recognized as the risk factor for deep venous thrombosis, since the collateral circulation does not provide adequate drainage of the lower limbs. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in school-aged children and adolescents. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection might be associated with deep venous thrombosis but its pathophysiology remains unknown. According to previous reports, deep venous thrombosis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is associated with positive serum anticardiolipin antibodies. To our knowledge, we describe the first case of deep venous thrombosis associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae serum antibodies indicating early stage of infection with negative anticardiolipin serum antibodies in adolescent with absence of inferior vena cava. CASE PRESENTATION: 14-year old boy was admitted to the pediatric unit few days after the appendectomy complaining with pain of the left hip that caused him unable to walk. The pain was accompanied with subfebrile temperature. After clinical examination and additional tests, the boy was diagnosed with a deep venous thrombosis. Computed tomography revealed absence of the vena cava inferior distally to the hepatic veins and varices of the collateral circulation in the pelvis. Anticardiolipin IgM and IgG antibodies and antinuclear antibodies were not detected. Additionally, the Mycoplasma pneumoniae antibodies in classes IgM, IgA and IgG were detected in serum as another risk factor of thrombosis. After the initial treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin in combination with clarithromycin the clinical condition of the patient improved. The patient became a candidate for life-long anticoagulation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In this case Mycoplasma pneumoniae antibodies were associated with deep venous thrombosis in child with congenital absence of inferior vena cava. Uncommonly for deep venous thrombosis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, anticardiolipin antibodies were not detected in serum. It is important to remember in clinical practice that Mycoplasma pneumoniae affects coagulability and may trigger thrombosis, especially in the presence of other risk factors. The pathophysiology of this process remains unknown.

[Usefulness of the multislices computed tomography in post-operative anatomy assessment in patients after bariatric surgery]. / Przydatnosc wielorzedowej tomografii komputerowej w ocenie prawidlowej anatomii pooperacyjnej u pacjentów poddanych zabiegom bariatrycznym.

Obesity is a systemic disease, which, together with complications and comorbidities is a major health problem of a large percentage of the world population. Because of the failure of behavioral and pharmacological treatment the new branch of surgery has been developed - the so-called bariatric surgery, dealing with operative treatment of obesity. Rapid increase of performed bariatric procedures requires the ability to interpret correctly the multislice CT imaging studies of patients treated with this innovative procedures. This paper is a review of commonly used methods of surgical treatment of obesity and identifies the usefulness of multislice computed tomography (CT) imaging of postoperative abdominal and pelvic anatomy. Surgical techniques are divided into treatments for restrictive mechanism, malabsorptive mechanism and combined both mechanisms. Abdominal and pelvic CT imaging before and after intravenous contrast agent administration confirmed their clinical utility.

[Influence of environmental risk factors on the development of chronic vein insufficiency]. / Wplyw czynników srodowiskowych na rozwój przewleklej niewydolnosci zylnej.

In European countries, vein diseases pose a serious social problem; as many as 35% of professionally active population, 50% of pensioners, and every second female suffer from this disease. Chronic vein insufficiency (CVI) is one of the most frequent forms of vein diseases, particularly in developed countries; it is thought to concern one third of the population. This paper presents basic information on CVI epidemiology, etiopathogenesis and pathophysiology and also reviews the literature on the following CVI risk factors: obesity, lack of physical activity, dietary habits, including constipation, pregnancy, genetic factors as well as prolonged sedentary or upright position during job performance.