A Rare Case of BCGiosis With Severe Combined Immunodeficiency

Abstract

Background: Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG), a live attenuated vaccine, is safe and given to all neonates in endemic countries; however may rarely cause disseminated disease, especially in immuno-deficient individuals.
Case characteristics: A 6 month old male infant, presented with vomiting, loose motions and failure to thrive. He was found to have features of severe acute malnutrition and abscess at BCG site. On investigations had features of disseminated tuberculosis in lung and skin and severe combined immunodeficiency.
Message: Infants with disseminated tuberculosis should be screened for underlying immunodeficiencies.