[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.