Infection with Mycobacterium bovis in a patient with AIDS: a late complication of BCG vaccination

Abstract

We present a 28-year-old HIV-infected man with a 2-year delayed complication of BCG immunization. When immunized the man was healthy, with an unknown HIV status, but 2 years later he was diagnosed with AIDS because of a Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. He was successfully treated and discharged in a state of good health. A few months later he presented with an enlarged lymph node and Mycobacterium bovis, BCG strain, was cultured. No sign of dissemination was found. We discuss the indications for BCG vaccination in adults, especially in areas and in populations with a high prevalence of HIV.