Mycobacterial Brain Abscess Possibly Due to Bacille Calmette-Guerin in an Immunocompromised Child

Abstract

Disseminated infection with bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is rare, even in immunocompromised patients who receive BCG injections as immunotherapy or immunization. When such infection occurs, it is usually in patients with decreased cellular immunity. A 6-year-old Caucasian girl who was receiving maintenance chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia presented with symptoms of meningitis. A temporal-lobe biopsy revealed acid-fast bacilli that were identified as Mycobacterium bovis BCG. Neither the patient nor any family members had been immunized previously. Appropriate therapy resulted in a complete recovery.