Development of subcutaneous abscesses due to Mycobacterium bovis following hepatitis and bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccination.

Vaccination to prevent hepatitis B and tuberculosis (TB) forms a part of the national immunization program in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The hepatitis B vaccination was introduced in the Makkah region in January 1991G. Since then, 25 children have developed post vaccination subcutaneous abscesses at the site of vaccination. Microbiological studies proved these to be of bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine (BCG) origin. Ten patients were treated successfully with isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin and 15 with INH alone. Four patients required incision and drainage. Possible reasons for this complication in our patients are discussed.