Bcg vaccine Disease Interactions

The use of BCG vaccine is contraindicated in patients with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, including those with severe combined immunodeficiency, hypogammaglobulinemia or agammaglobulinemia, HIV infection, altered immune states (due to diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, or generalized malignancy), or immunosuppression due to drug or other treatments (e.g., corticosteroids, alkylating agents, antimetabolites, or radiation). BCG vaccine contains live bacteria. The absence of immune competence may potentiate the replication of vaccine virus and cause a systemic BCG infection, which has been fatal in some cases. In addition, when used for immunization against tuberculosis, serum antibody response may be compromised. BCG vaccine should also not be administered to anyone with a family history of congenital or hereditary immunodeficiency until the individual's immune status can be assessed and is determined to be adequate.

The use of BCG vaccine is contraindicated in patients with fever unless the cause has been determined and evaluated. If the fever is due to an infection, administration of BCG vaccine should be deferred until the patient is afebrile and done with antimicrobial therapy. When BCG vaccine is used for immunization against tuberculosis, the presence of existing infection, especially if moderate or severe, may increase the risk of an adverse host reaction and/or vaccine failure. BCG vaccine is not for the treatment of active tuberculosis. When administered intravesically for the treatment of bladder cancer, concomitant antimicrobial therapy can interfere with the effectiveness of the vaccine. Antimicrobial therapy should be evaluated to assess the effects on BCG activity. Finally, since BCG vaccine contains live bacteria, it can potentially cause a systemic BCG infection, particularly in acutely ill patients. Disseminated BCG infection has been fatal in some cases.