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Pulmonary tuberculosis due to bacille Calmette-Guérin
D Kirsten1, U Rieger, K H Schröder
1Zentrum für Pneumologie, Krankenhaus Grosshansdorf.
The Clinical Investigator
|October 1, 1993
Summary
Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy for bladder cancer can rarely cause lung infiltrates. This case confirmed an infectious cause, identifying a BCG strain in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Intravesical bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a standard treatment for superficial bladder cancer.
- Systemic complications from BCG immunotherapy are uncommon, but lung involvement can occur.
Observation:
- A patient receiving BCG immunotherapy for bladder cancer developed a lung infiltrate.
- The pathogenesis of BCG-induced lung infiltrates remains poorly understood.
Findings:
- Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid culture confirmed the presence of a bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) strain.
- This finding establishes an infectious etiology for the lung infiltrate.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for BCG to cause infectious lung complications.
- Understanding the infectious nature of these infiltrates is crucial for diagnosis and management.