Intravesical therapy with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is the mainstay treatment for high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. The side effects are usually local and mild. Systemic dissemination of BCG is rare, typically develops soon after instillation, and may present as a severe life-threatening condition. We present a case of a 49-year-old man under chronic haemodialysis who developed septic shock after the first BCG maintenance instillation for bladder carcinoma in situ (CIS). Supportive measures and empiric broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy were promptly started after sample collection for cultures. Lastly, the recurrence of fever raised the initial suspicion of BCG dissemination. The diagnosis was confirmed by the identification of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in blood samples collected and anti-tuberculosis therapy was then initiated. We would like to highlight the need for early recognition of a systemic BCG infection and the importance of starting anti-tuberculosis treatment as early as possible.
Keywords: bacillus calmette-guerin; bladder cancer; intravesical therapy; side effects; systemic infection.
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