Impact of Bacille Calmette-Guérin revaccination on serum IgE levels in a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) downmodulates allergen-specific IgE levels and prevents other atopic responses in experimental models but fails to protect against respiratory allergies. Human responsiveness to BCG is variable and may interfere with protection.

METHODS

Multivariate models were evaluated to test the possible effect of responsiveness (assessed by IFN-γ production) to BCG revaccination on the modulation of total and allergen-specific serum IgE levels in healthy volunteers participating in a randomized controlled trial.

RESULTS

Serum total or Derp-specific IgE levels did not change regardless of the increase in IFN-γ levels.

CONCLUSIONS

BCG responsiveness does not affect protection against atopy.