An Immunological Algorithm to Defeat Covid-19

Background: Local tissue destruction in Covid-19 patients is reported to be an inappropriate immune body response than viral loading. Very high levels of cytokines of mixed Th1/Th2 affinity have been demonstrated in critically ill patients. Methods and results: Countries like Italy, Spain or Germany etc. with very low prevalence of tuberculosis and discontinued BCG immunization since decades, are witnessing the worst form of this global pandemic of Corona virus. It has also been seen that Covid-19 affected more of those countries who have robust and free influenza vaccination programme. High mortality of Covid-19 patients is probably result of the reduced Th1 immunity due to lack of past exposures to various infections and poor or absent local innate immunity due to the parental influenza vaccinations. Conclusion: Influenza has been reported providing protection against the Mycobacteria. It is possible that a reciprocal cross immunity exists between the two pathogens. BCG vaccination should prove to be a great defence against Covid-19. Since BCG induces predominantly the cellular immunity which usually is peaked at 6-10 weeks, it may not yield instant protection as is needed. It may therefore be augmented with oral live-attenuated Salmonella vaccination to boost local mucosal immunity in mean time.