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Report of two cases of suppurated lymphadenitis caused by Bacillus Calmette-Guerin treated with recombinant γ-interferon

Abstract:

Suppurative lymphadenitis is a non frequent complication following Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination. Two paediatric patients with adverse reactions induced by the BCG vaccine are presented, both with suppurative and abscessed regional lymphadenitis, one month after birth. After failed courses of surgery and chemotherapy, they were treated with 50 000 IU/Kg (maximum: 1 000 000 IU) of recombinant interferon (IFN) gamma, intramuscularly, daily during 4 weeks and 3 or 2 tpw afterwards. The first case, a nursing girl with family history of tuberculosis, had a rapid involution of the lesions since the first month of treatment, with drainage ceasing and gradual disappearance of the inflammatory signs. At the end of the 6 months of treatment, residues of the lesions were imperceptible and new adenopathies or relapses were not detected during 4 years of follow up. The second case, a boy without family history of tuberculosis, presented more lesions. The signs of marked improvement were observed in the whole affected region one year after IFN gamma started. Their treatment was extended for almost 2 years, when the scars took the normal skin pigmentation. The cytokine was well tolerated; few febrile events were recorded, well-controlled with antipyretics. We can conclude that IFN gamma could be a new effective therapeutic alternative for the treatment of the suppurated lymphadenitis caused by BCG vaccination.