Efficacy of BCG vaccination in prevention of tuberculous meningitis in Iraq

Abstract EN

Objectives : To evaluate the efficacy of BCG vaccination in the prevention of tuberculous meningitis and in reducing mortality among those affected by the disease.

Methods : The study included the analysis of information in the hospital records of 283 tuberculous meningitis cases admitted to Ebn-El-Khateeb Hospital during the period from 1989 to 1998.

Comparison was made with 527 cases admitted to the same hospital with diseases other than tuberculosis or tuberculous meningitis.

The controls were matched for age and sex and for a ratio of greater than 1:1 controls to cases.

Results : BCG in Iraq under the current conditions had a significant level of efficacy (OR-O.57, 95% Confidence Interval=0.42 to 0.78) in the prevention of tuberculous meningitis.

Stratified analysis showed a significant effect of BCG in lowering mortality of tuberculous meningitis cases that had been vaccinated compared to non-vaccinated cases.

The mortality in the non-vaccinated cases was significantly higher than vaccinated cases.

(Standardized OR=2.30 with a 95% confidence interval of 1.19 to 4.92).

Conclustion: The use of BCG vaccination in Iraq has been shown to be efficacious in preventing tuberculous meningitis and in lowering mortality due to this disease.

Its usage is recommended.