Diabetes Care, Vol 22, Issue 10 1703-1707, Copyright © 1999 by American Diabetes Association
Effect of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccination on new-onset type 1 diabetes. A randomized clinical study
HF Allen, GJ Klingensmith, P Jensen, E Simoes, A Hayward and HP Chase
Baystate Medical Center Children's Hospital, Springfield, MA 01095, USA. holley.allen@bhs.org
OBJECTIVE: We undertook this study to test whether Bacillus Calmette-Guerin
(BCG) vaccine preserves beta-cell function and increases the remission rate
in children with new-onset type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS:
This was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial offered to
children referred to the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes or the
Baystate Medical Center with a diagnosis of new-onset type 1 diabetes.
There were 94 children aged 5-18 years who received either BCG or saline
intradermally within 4 months of onset of symptoms and who were then
evaluated at 3-month intervals for 2 years. The primary end point was
remission, defined as insulin independence for 4 weeks. Secondary end
points were C-peptide levels (fasting and in response to a mixed meal
challenge), insulin dose, and HbA1c. RESULTS: Of the patients, 47 were
randomized to each arm; 7 in the placebo group and 9 in the BCG group did
not complete 1 year of the study and are not included in the analysis. One
patient from each group achieved remission. Fasting and stimulated
C-peptide levels did not differ by treatment arm but declined in both
groups and were lower initially and during the entire 2-year period in
younger children. Insulin requirements and HbA1c levels did not differ in
the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination with BCG at the time of onset of
type 1 diabetes does not increase the remission rate or preserve beta-cell
function.