Inadvertent Administration of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Intravesical Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) has proven effective in the treatment ofcarcinoma in situ and is known to prevent recurrences in superficial bladder cancer, the local andsystemic side effects of which are associated with attenuated live Mycobacterium bovis in the bladder.The rare administration of BCG such as through intramuscular (IM) or intravenous (IV) administrationis more likely to cause systemic infections. Although serious and life-threateningsystemic complications are rare, most such complications are tolerable. This case report examinesthe course of reaction and treatment after the accidental IV administration of high dose BCG vaccine.