Journal: Heliyon

Article Title: The BCG vaccine and SARS-CoV-2: Could there be a beneficial relationship?

doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38085

Figure Lengend Snippet: Origin and function of some available commercial vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.

Article Snippet: Pfizer (New York, NY, USA)/BioNTech (Mainz, Germany) BNT162b2 , To produce this vaccine, a fragment of SARS-CoV-2 protein S RNA was synthesized with pseudouridine to reduce its immunogenicity and increase cellular synthesis of S protein. In addition, the vaccine was designed to deliver the fibrin domain end of phage T4 so that the protein would have a spatial configuration that would allow the synthesis of associated antibodies. Finally, the RNA was coated with lipid nanoparticles to allow it to enter the cell intact. The vaccine has demonstrated a 95 % efficacy rate in preventing symptomatic COVID-19. Additionally, studies have shown that seven days after receiving the second dose, there is a high IgG and neutralizing antibody response. However, it is important to note that antibody levels are lower in men and individuals over 60 years of age. A prospective longitudinal study found a significant decrease in anti-S IgG antibody titers within six months after receiving the second dose of the vaccine. The emergence of the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron (B.1.1.529) has demonstrated that doses of BNT162b2 provide low protection, and a third booster does not guarantee protection beyond six months. The laboratories updated the vaccine with this data, releasing the bivalent booster BNT162b2 BA.4/5. This version showed an improved restoration of the immune response compared to the first version, with up to 53 % efficacy in reducing severe cases in previously vaccinated patients and up to 69 % in unvaccinated patients. , [ , , , , ] .

Techniques: Vaccines, Plasmid Preparation, Infection, Virus, Injection, Activity Assay, Synthesized, Activation Assay, Produced, Adjuvant