Clinical and laboratory observation of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin infections.

Objective: To study the clinical features of BCG infection in children.

Methods: 51 cases confirmed with BCG infection from all over China were enrolled and followed up for at least 6 months. All cases were treated with anti-tuberculosis drugs. A random, open, group control study was designed in non-disseminated cases to evaluate curative effects of anti-tuberculosis drugs for early stage BCG infection. Disseminated cases were also closely monitored, and patients were given combined anti-tuberculosis drug therapy.

Results: In 34 (66.7%) non-disseminated cases, 19 children with local infections were treated with Isoniazid (Group A) and 15 were treated with Isoniazid and Rifampin (Group B). In the first 3 months, Group B responded better to anti- tuberculosis drug therapy than Group A (P<0.05). At the end of 6 months drug therapy, improvement rate was 100% of Group B vs. 89.5% of Group A (P<0.05). 33.3% children were admitted with disseminated BCG disease and were initially treated with Isoniazid and Rifampin. Most of these children responded poorly to drug therapies: Both isolated strains and BCG vaccination strain showed resistance to isoniazid, but susceptible to other First-line anti-tuberculosis drugs (Rifampin, Ethambutol and Streptomycin).

Conclusion: INH does not perform well for treating BCG Chinese infections. Multiple drug regimens are necessary for treatment and preventing Drug-Resistance. Even for non-disseminated cases, preventive therapy using mono-isoniazid regimen is not suitable. BCG infections also occur in children without clear immunodeficiency, so parental education and awareness of health-care workers is essential for promptly recognition and handling BCG infections.