Mycobacterium bovis vertebral osteomyelitis and discitis with adjacent mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm caused by intravesical BCG therapy: a case report in an elderly gentleman

Abstract

The bacille Calmette-Guérin, a live attenuated form of Mycobacterium bovis, has been used as anti-cancer immunotherapy for superficial bladder cancer since 1976 [ 1]. It is now the mainstay of therapy for this condition, which is partly attributable to the low complication rate; indeed 95% have no significant side effects [ 2]. However, proven disseminated M. bovis infection has been documented, as is the case with our elderly patient.