Vaccine for Adults With Asthma

Jun. 21, 2002 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A vaccine used for tuberculosis could be helpful in treating adults who suffer from asthma, according to a new study.

The Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine has been used in many countries since the early 20th century as a vaccine against human tuberculosis. Researchers from Chonnam National University Medical School in Korea studied whether the vaccine could help patients with moderate to severe asthma.

For the study, 43 patients who suffered from asthma were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group received injections of the vaccine and the other group received a placebo. Researchers measured each patient's lung function four times during the twelve-week study. Researchers also kept track of each patient's asthma symptoms and medications.

Researchers found lung function of the patients who received the BCG vaccine improved dramatically compared to those patients on the placebo. There was no difference in the asthma symptoms reported between the two groups, but the group on the vaccine decreased their medications more than the placebo group.

Researchers conclude the BCG vaccination improved lung function and reduced medication use in adults with asthma. They feel this study shows the BCG vaccine might be an effective therapeutic treatment for asthma.