Cytomorphologic patterns in Calmette Guerin bacillus lymphadenitis
1Department of Pathology, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India.
Insights
Cytomorphologic patterns of Calmette Guerin bacillus (BCG) lymphadenitis were studied and found similar to tuberculous lymphadenitis. BCG lymphadenitis showed more acid-fast bacilli and exudative response, distinguishable by Ziehl-Neelsen staining.
Area of Science:
- Cytopathology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Calmette Guerin bacillus (BCG) lymphadenitis is a common complication of BCG vaccination.
- Distinguishing BCG lymphadenitis from tuberculous lymphadenitis is crucial for appropriate management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cytomorphologic features of BCG lymphadenitis.
- To compare these features with those of tuberculous lymphadenitis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 136 fine needle aspiration (FNA) smears from clinically diagnosed BCG adenitis cases.
- Cases were from children aged 2 months to 2 years over a 3.5-year period.
Main Results:
- Three distinct cytomorphologic patterns were identified in 112 cases: acid-fast bacilli in a necrotic background (62 cases), granulomas with necrosis (47 cases), and granulomas in a reactive lymphoid background (3 cases).
- BCG lymphadenitis exhibited a higher frequency of exudative response and acid-fast bacilli positivity compared to tuberculous lymphadenitis.
Conclusions:
- Cytomorphologic patterns in BCG lymphadenitis closely resemble those of tuberculous lymphadenitis.
- Ziehl-Neelsen staining is valuable in differentiating BCG lymphadenitis from pyogenic abscesses.
Objective:
To study the cytomorphologic patterns of Calmette Guerin bacillus (BCG) lymphadenitis and compare it to those of tuberculous lymphadenitis.
Study Design:
A retrospective cytomorphologic study of 136 cases of clinically diagnosed BCG adenitis. All fine needle aspiration smears of lymphadenitis in the age group 2 months to 2 years during a three-and-half-year period were analyzed.
Results:
Three distinct cytomorphologic patterns were seen in 112 cases. They were acid-fast bacilli in a necrotic background (62), granulomas with necrosis (47) and granulomas in a reactive lymphoid background (3).
Conclusion:
The cytomorphologic patterns in BCG lymphadenitis were similar to those seen in tuberculous lymphadenitis; however, an exudative response and high acid-fast bacillus positivity was seen more frequently in BCG lymphadenitis. Moreover, Ziehl-Neelsen staining helped to distinguish these cases from pyogenic abscesses.
