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Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) endophthalmitis
H Lester1, R A Erdey, D M Fastenberg
1Division of Ophthalmology, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, New York.
Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatment for bladder cancer can lead to rare mycobacterium bovis endophthalmitis, causing vision loss. Early anti-tuberculous therapy may help reduce retinal lesions in these cases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
Background:
- Metastatic bladder carcinoma treatment often involves bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy.
- BCG therapy can rarely lead to systemic complications.
- Endogenous endophthalmitis is a severe intraocular infection.
Observation:
- A patient treated with BCG for metastatic bladder carcinoma developed sudden bilateral visual loss.
- Ocular examination revealed infiltrative retinitis and vitreitis, initially suspected as Candida endophthalmitis.
- Ocular fluid analysis via vitrectomy identified Mycobacterium bovis.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with endogenous Mycobacterium bovis endophthalmitis following BCG treatment.
- Systemic anti-tuberculous therapy was initiated for the ocular infection.
- A reduction in retinal lesions was observed after initiating anti-tuberculous therapy.
Implications:
- This case represents the first documented instance of endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Mycobacterium bovis after BCG immunotherapy.
- Highlights the importance of considering mycobacterial infection in patients with endophthalmitis post-BCG therapy.
- Suggests that prompt anti-tuberculous treatment may be beneficial in managing BCG-associated endogenous endophthalmitis.