Efficacy of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccination in Reducing the Incidence and Severity of COVID-19 in High-Risk Population (BRIC): a Phase III, Multi-centre, Quadruple-Blind Randomised Control Trial.

Introduction: Universal coverage of vaccines alone cannot be relied upon to protect at-risk populations in lower- and middle-income countries against the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and newer variants. Live vaccines, including Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), are being studied for their effectiveness in reducing the incidence and severity of COVID-19 infection.

Methods: In this multi-centre quadruple-blind, parallel assignment randomised control trial, 495 high-risk group adults (aged 18-60 years) were randomised into BCG and placebo arms and followed up for 9 months from the date of vaccination.

Entomophthoramycosis: An unusual cause of facial disfigurement.

Entomophthoramycosis is a rare fungal infection of nose, paranasal sinuses and subcutaneous tissues found in tropical and subtropical region. From India very few cases have been reported. Here we report a case of Entomophthoramycosis due to Conidiobolus coronatus from the eastern India who presented with slowly growing rhinofacial swelling and right sided nasal obstruction due to intranasal mass.