Subclinical miliary Mycobacterium bovis following BCG immunotherapy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

Culture-proven disseminated Mycobacterium Bovis infection (BCG-Osis) following intravesical BCG immunotherapy in a patient with bladder carcinoma-in-situ: ‘Case report’

We are reporting a case of culture-proven disseminated Mycobacterium Bovis infection (BCG-Osis), involving lung, bone-marrow and urinary tract, after intravesical Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy for bladder carcinoma-in-situ. A 71-year-gentleman presented with fever shortly after intravesical BCG instillation. He was initially treated for presumed Urinary Tract Infection, but negative urine culture and persistent fever prompted us to consider alternative diagnoses. Empirical treatment for BCG-Osis was commenced after initial negative workup including blood culture, echocardiography, computed tomography (CT) Chest, and Kidney-Ureter-Bladder (KUB). However, he remained febrile and leukopenic, so bone-marrow examination was performed along with repeating CT Chest, which revealed non-caseating granulomas and small nonspecific pulmonary nodules, respectively, supporting our provisional diagnosis. Interestingly, Mycobacterium Bovis was finally isolated from one of his urine specimens, confirming our diagnosis.

Disseminated Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infection with pulmonary and renal involvement: A rare complication of BCG immunotherapy. A case report and narrative review

Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) instillation is a mainstay of adjunctive therapy for superficial bladder cancer that increases length of disease progression-free survival. Although usually well tolerated, moderate to severe local and systemic infectious complications can occur with this immunotherapy. Diagnosis is difficult and often based on high clinical suspicion since in many cases Mycobacterium bovis is not isolated. Treatment is not fully standardized but the combination of anti-tuberculosis drugs and corticosteroids is advocated in severe cases. The authors present an unusual case of a severe infectious complication following intravesical BCG instillation with pulmonary and kidney involvement. Prompt anti-tuberculosis treatment associated to corticosteroid resulted in a marked clinical and radiological improvement, supporting the diagnosis of disseminated BCG infection. Based on this, the authors aimed to review the literature on this exceptional complication of this immunotherapy.

Miliary Tuberculosis that Developed after Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Therapy

As a treatment for superficial transitional cell carcinoma, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) intravesical instillation can rarely cause unpredictable systemic side effects. We describe a patient admitted due to continuous pyrexia and general fatigue. He was previously treated with intravesical BCG. Laboratory data indicated a hepatic disorder, and chest computed tomography revealed extensive bilateral miliary nodules. Transbronchial lung biopsy specimens showed several small noncaseating granulomas. The diagnosis was unsolved on the basis of acid fast staining, polymerase chain reaction and microbiological cultures, so we considered the possibility of BCG side effect-induced granuloma. Two months after treatment with antituberculous agents and corticosteroids, his clinical symptoms were improved.

BCG-osis following intravesical BCG treatment leading to miliary pulmonary nodules, penile granulomas and a mycotic aortic aneurysm

A 69-year-old male patient who was treated with intravesical BCG for carcinoma in situ of the bladder, went on to develop systemic features of BCG-osis. This diagnosis was supported by significant radiological and clinical findings. These systemic features include pulmonary miliary lesions, a mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm and penile lesions. Owing to a breakdown in the relationship between the patient and the National Health Service, the patient has declined BCG treatment. This case highlights the potential rare side effects of intravesical BCG treatment and the risk associated with non-treatment of BCG-osis.