An ulcerated lesion at the BCG vaccination site during the course of Kawasaki disease

J Am Acad Dermatol. 1997 Aug;37(2 Pt 2):303-4.

Abstract

We describe a bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) granuloma that occurred during the course of Kawasaki disease. A 12-month-old male infant with Kawasaki disease had an erythematous indurated plaque with prominent necrotic ulceration at the BCG vaccination site on the left upper arm. Histologic study showed a granulomatous reaction consisting of epithelioid histiocytes, lymphoid cells, and Langhans-type giant cells. No evidence of mycobacterial infection was obtained. The lesion healed completely within 2 weeks without administration of antituberculous agents. We believe that the granulomatous reaction occurred as a result of hypersensitivity to proteins in the BCG vaccine, which appeared after the onset of Kawasaki disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / adverse effects*
  • Arm
  • BCG Vaccine / adverse effects*
  • Biopsy
  • Granuloma / chemically induced*
  • Granuloma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / complications*
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / pathology
  • Necrosis
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin Ulcer / chemically induced*
  • Skin Ulcer / pathology

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • BCG Vaccine