Multiple organ failure and granulomatous hepatitis following intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin instillation

Acta Clin Belg. 2012 Sep-Oct;67(5):367-9. doi: 10.2143/ACB.67.5.2062692.

Abstract

Intravesical instillations of Bacillus-Calmette Guérin are widely used in the treatment of superficial bladder carcinoma. Although relatively safe, it has potentially lethal systemic side effects. In this case report a 68 year old patient presented with septic shock and multiple organ failure three days after instillation with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin. After treatment with fluid, vasopressors, broad spectrum antibiotics and antimycobacterial drugs the patient's condition improved. Ten days after admission there was a dramatic increase in bilirubin levels. A liver biopsy revealed granulomatous hepatitis. After the initiation of methylprednisolone the overall condition of the patient improved and serum bilirubin levels returned to normal.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / administration & dosage
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / adverse effects
  • Administration, Intravesical
  • Aged
  • BCG Vaccine / administration & dosage
  • BCG Vaccine / adverse effects*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hepatitis / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multiple Organ Failure / chemically induced*
  • Multiple Organ Failure / diagnosis
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • BCG Vaccine