Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine-induced complications in children treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the frequency, risk factors, and clinical features of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) complications in HIV-infected children treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).


METHODS
A retrospective study of children started on HAART between August 2002 and November 2004 was completed.


RESULTS
Six percent (21/352; 95% CI 3.7-8.0%) developed BCG complications. All developed ipsilateral axillary lymphadenitis; one child had suspected disseminated BCG infection. There were 14 females; median age at start of HAART was 5 months. BCG disease developed a median of 34 days after starting HAART. At baseline and 6 months into HAART, the median CD4 percentage and log(10) viral load were 12.3/6.1 and 23.9/4.5, respectively. Seventeen (81%) of the patients were treated with either zidovudine or stavudine combined with lamivudine and ritonavir. Young age and high baseline viral load were independent risk factors for development of BCG complications. Mycobacterium bovis BCG was isolated in 70% of patients who underwent incision and drainage of abscesses at the vaccination site or regional lymph nodes.


CONCLUSIONS
This study identified a high prevalence of BCG complications in children on HAART. A clinical case definition of BCG immune reconstitution syndrome independent of laboratory parameters for use in resource-limited settings should be developed.
Nuttall
James J
JJ
Paediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Red Cross Children's Hospital, School of Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7700, Cape Town, South Africa. james.nuttall@uct.ac.za
Davies
Mary-Ann
MA
Hussey
Gregory D
GD
Eley
Brian S
BS
D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019562:Viral Load
D001500:BCG Vaccine