[Unilateral panuveitis following intravesical therapy with bacille of Calmette et Guerin]

Bull Soc Belge Ophtalmol. 2012:(320):23-8.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Uveitis occuring after Mycobacterium bovis-bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) intravesical therapy for bladder carcinoma is rare. Only a few cases have been described. Its physiopathology is still unknown. Two mechanisms can be proposed at the origin of ocular inflammation: a local immune response or a direct choroidal mycobacterial infection as demonstrated by vitreous cultures. We report the case of 63-year-old man who presented with unilateral panuveitis after the fifth BCG intravesical instillation with no other systemic manifestations. There was no evidence for any other etiology for this uveitis. Loss of light perception occurred despite systemic antimycobacterial therapy and systemic prednisone therapy because of delayed diagnosis. This outlines the absolute need for a close ophthalmological monitoring of patients receiving a BCG therapy to allow an earlier diagnosis of this complication and appropriate treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravesical
  • BCG Vaccine / administration & dosage
  • BCG Vaccine / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Panuveitis / chemically induced*
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / drug therapy

Substances

  • BCG Vaccine