Disseminated Infection with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin in a Child with Advanced HIV Disease

Abstract

An 8-month-old boy with vertically acquired HIV-infection who developed a disseminated BCG infection is described. The patient had been immunized at birth with BCG. In spite of a normal CD-4 lymphocyte count, he suffered from fever, anaemia and failure to thrive. BCG was isolated by culture from CSF, bone marrow and peripheral blood. Anti-tuberculous treatment initially seemed successful, but shortly after, the patient died from Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. In symptomatic HIV-infected children originating from countries with BCG immunization programs, disseminated BCG infection should be considered.