Author/Authors :
Ben Hadj Hassine, Ahmed Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology - University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia - Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir - University of Monastir - Monastir, Tunisia , Marzouk, Manel Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology - University Hospital Farhat Hached - Sousse, Tunisia , Bargui, Hichem Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology - University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia - Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir - University of Monastir - Monastir, Tunisia , Tfifha, Miniar Service of Pediatrics Diseases - University Hospital Sahloul - Sousse, Tunisia , Dhaou, Mohamed Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology - University Hospital Farhat Hached - Sousse, Tunisia , Boukadida, Jalel Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology - University Hospital Farhat Hached - Sousse, Tunisia
Abstract :
Introduction: The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), a live attenuated Mycobacterium bovis vaccine, is administered to all the newborns
in Tunisia in order to prevent Tuberculosis (TB). Complications of this vaccine are uncommon. However, it poses a risk for children
with unknown immunodeficiency.
Case Presentation: We report on disseminated BCG disease in two infants, respectively, with severe combined immunodeficiency
and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Evolution was fatal for both, despite adequate anti-tuberculosis treatment.
Conclusions: Molecular methods are available to respond to the urgent need for rapid and specific diagnosis of local/regional or
systemic BCG disease, using available commercial kits GenoType® MTBC and GenoType® MTBDRplus. These tests allow prevention
of inoculation of live vaccines such as BCG among the next siblings until appropriate screening tests exclude primary or secondary
immunodeficiency syndromes.
Keywords :
Bacille Calmette-Guérin Vaccine , Mycobacterium bovis , Molecular Diagnostic Techniques , Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes
