Acute Hepatitis and Pneumonitis Caused by Disseminated Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Infection

Intravesical instillation of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the treatment of choice for superficial bladder carcinoma. We report a case of disseminated BCG infection in an early stage bladder cancer patient that initially presented with hepatitis followed by pneumonitis and sepsis. A complete clinical response was achieved in 14 days with anti-mycobacterial therapy and prednisolone. Disseminated BCG is a rare treatment complication and is likely a combination of direct infection and hypersensitivity.

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