Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

A Functional Whole Blood Assay to Measure Viability of Mycobacteria, using Reporter-Gene Tagged BCG or M.Tb (BCG lux/M.Tb lux)
08:10

A Functional Whole Blood Assay to Measure Viability of Mycobacteria, using Reporter-Gene Tagged BCG or M.Tb (BCG lux/M.Tb lux)

Published on: September 14, 2011

[Sternal osteomyelitis and scrofuloderma due to BCG vaccination]

Ivohne Fernanda Corrales1, Jorge Alberto Cortés, María Lucía Mesa

  • 1Departamento de Pediatría, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia. ifcorrales@yahoo.com

Biomedica : Revista Del Instituto Nacional De Salud
|July 23, 2003
PubMed

Insights

A rare adverse reaction to the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine caused osteomyelitis and scrofuloderma in a 13-month-old girl. This case highlights potential complications even in immunocompetent individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is a widely used prophylactic against tuberculosis, with a long history of efficacy.
  • Adverse reactions to the BCG vaccine are uncommon, but can occur, particularly in certain patient populations.

Observation:

  • A 13-month-old infant, vaccinated with BCG as a newborn, presented with a sternal mass and periosteal erosion.
  • Histopathological examination of the resected mass revealed chronic inflammation, caseous granulomas, and extension to bone and skin.

Findings:

  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in the tissue was negative.
  • The clinical presentation, histological findings, and absence of M. tuberculosis DNA strongly suggested that the osteomyelitis and scrofuloderma were a direct consequence of the BCG vaccination.

Implications:

  • This case underscores osteomyelitis as a rare but possible adverse effect of BCG vaccination, even in the absence of diagnosed immunodeficiency.
  • It emphasizes the importance of considering BCG as a potential etiology for localized infections presenting with granulomatous inflammation and bone involvement in vaccinated infants.
  • Further vigilance and investigation may be warranted in immunocompetent children presenting with unusual BCG-related complications.

More Related Videos

Protective Efficacy and Pulmonary Immune Response Following Subcutaneous and Intranasal BCG Administration in Mice06:32

Protective Efficacy and Pulmonary Immune Response Following Subcutaneous and Intranasal BCG Administration in Mice

Published on: September 19, 2016

Expression of Exogenous Antigens in the Mycobacterium bovis BCG Vaccine via Non-genetic Surface Decoration with the Avidin-biotin System10:11

Expression of Exogenous Antigens in the Mycobacterium bovis BCG Vaccine via Non-genetic Surface Decoration with the Avidin-biotin System

Published on: January 31, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III01:31

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...