Adverse effects of BCG revaccination: a report on 13 cases from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

SETTING

BCG revaccination is not used worldwide. In Brazil, it has been recommended since 1994 in children aged 6 to 14 years. Reports in the medical literature of adverse reactions due to revaccination are rare. BCG revaccination remains officially recommended by the Brazilian health authorities, based on the current epidemiological tuberculosis situation in the country.

OBJECTIVE

We report 13 cases of children and adolescents with complications due to BCG revaccination.

DESIGN

Case reports of patients followed up in a pneumology unit of a university pediatric hospital from May 1996 to December 2000.

RESULTS

There were seven males and six females, whose ages ranged from 7-12 years. Adverse reactions occurred between 21 days and 9 months after BCG revaccination. All 13 cases had a scar from prior BCG vaccination. All cases treated received isoniazid, 10 mg/kg/day, in the morning until the end of cure. The duration of treatment varied, but all cases were successfully cured.

CONCLUSION

Although adverse reactions are rare, it is important to continue monitoring them in order to learn more about them and to be able to orient health professionals to perform appropriate assessment and timely treatment when they occur.