Histopathology of Disseminated Mycobacterium bovis Infection Complicating Intravesical BCG Immunotherapy for Urothelial Carcinoma. 2015

Brandon T Larsen, and Maxwell L Smith, and Thomas E Grys, and Holenarasipur R Vikram, and Thomas V Colby
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA blarsen@email.arizona.edu.

Intravesical instillation of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a mainstay of adjunctive therapy for superficial bladder cancer. Disseminated BCG infection ("BCG-osis") after this therapy is rare and potentially life-threatening; only isolated case reports detail the histopathologic findings thereof, few of which had a diagnosis confirmed by molecular testing. We report 3 additional cases of BCG-osis complicating BCG therapy, all confirmed by cultures and molecular assays, including the first cases of wedge biopsy-confirmed BCG pneumonia and BCG olecranon bursitis. When suggested by a relevant clinical history, recognition of randomly distributed granulomas in any organ should prompt consideration of BCG-osis and liberal performance of AFB stains, aided by targeted molecular assays. Physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion when miliary infiltrates arise after intravesical BCG instillation, and close multidisciplinary communication is essential. Pathologist awareness of this rare cause of granulomatous inflammation aids recognition of BCG-osis and facilitates prompt initiation of antimycobacterial therapy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007167 Immunotherapy Manipulation of the host's immune system in treatment of disease. It includes both active and passive immunization as well as immunosuppressive therapy to prevent graft rejection. Immunotherapies
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009163 Mycobacterium bovis The bovine variety of the tubercle bacillus. It is called also Mycobacterium tuberculosis var. bovis. BCG,Calmette-Guerin Bacillus
D001749 Urinary Bladder Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the URINARY BLADDER. Bladder Cancer,Bladder Neoplasms,Cancer of Bladder,Bladder Tumors,Cancer of the Bladder,Malignant Tumor of Urinary Bladder,Neoplasms, Bladder,Urinary Bladder Cancer,Bladder Cancers,Bladder Neoplasm,Bladder Tumor,Cancer, Bladder,Cancer, Urinary Bladder,Neoplasm, Bladder,Neoplasm, Urinary Bladder,Tumor, Bladder,Tumors, Bladder,Urinary Bladder Neoplasm
D002295 Carcinoma, Transitional Cell A malignant neoplasm derived from TRANSITIONAL EPITHELIAL CELLS, occurring chiefly in the URINARY BLADDER; URETERS; or RENAL PELVIS. Carcinomas, Transitional Cell,Cell Carcinoma, Transitional,Cell Carcinomas, Transitional,Transitional Cell Carcinoma,Transitional Cell Carcinomas
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000283 Administration, Intravesical The instillation or other administration of drugs into the bladder, usually to treat local disease, including neoplasms. Bladder Drug Administration,Drug Administration, Bladder,Instillation, Bladder,Intravesical Drug Administration,Administration, Intravesical Drug,Injections, Intravesical,Intravesical Administration,Intravesical Injection,Intravesical Instillation,Administration, Bladder Drug,Administrations, Bladder Drug,Administrations, Intravesical,Administrations, Intravesical Drug,Bladder Drug Administrations,Bladder Instillation,Bladder Instillations,Drug Administration, Intravesical,Drug Administrations, Bladder,Drug Administrations, Intravesical,Injection, Intravesical,Instillation, Intravesical,Instillations, Bladder,Instillations, Intravesical,Intravesical Administrations,Intravesical Drug Administrations,Intravesical Injections,Intravesical Instillations
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000369 Aged, 80 and over Persons 80 years of age and older. Oldest Old

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