[Generalized BCG infection in mixed and severe immunologic deficiency. Unfavorable outcome in spite of an attempted bone marrow transplant].

Generalized BCG infection can occur after vaccination in patients with a severe combined or T-cell immunodeficiency. In the reported case, generalized BCG infection developed in an infant with a severe combined immunodeficiency disease and presented mainly with hematological manifestations. This infection led to death of the patient in spite of an histocompatible bone marrow transplantation performed late in the course of the disease and followed by a minimal graft-versus-host reaction. Based on this case report and others from the literature, it is suggested that neonatal BCG vaccination should be performed after knowing at least the complete family history. Although the presented patient died, it should seem reasonable to treat such patients with an early immunological reconstitution and with anti-TB antibiotics.