Lymphadenitis associated with BCG vaccination: a report of an outbreak in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Abstract

A study was undertaken to investigate an outbreak of BCG-associated lymphadenitis in the City of Harare. Cases notified from January to August 1987 are presented here. The 175 cases notified to the Harare City Health Department in January 1987 were children vaccinated at birth. They presented with adenitis at 2-3 months of age and were representative of the general population in sex and birth weight. This complication developed in 6.8% of all live births for that month. Suppuration occurred in 62% (4.3% of live births) of the cases. The highest incidence occurred in March (7.2% of live births) and declined thereafter to a rate of 3.7% of live births in August. Possible causative factors are dose of vaccine route of administration and strain of vaccine. A vaccine strain that is more reactogenic gives better protection but also has a greater risk of complications. (authors)