Diagnostic Aspects of a Bacillus Calmette-Guërin (BCG) Infection Following Intravesical Treatment for Bladder Cancer

Clinical Laboratory 2026

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Authors: Jae Cha, Keun Kim, Seung Yun, Myung‐Hyun Nam, 이경, Yunjung Cho
DOI: 10.7754/clin.lab.2025.250644
Cited by: 1

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infection is a rare complication of intravesical immunotherapy for bladder cancer. Distinguishing Mycobacterium bovis BCG from other Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex members is crucial due to intrinsic drug resistance. METHODS: We report a case of BCG infection following intravesical immunotherapy and propose three laboratory clues. RESULTS: White, spreading umbonate colony morphology; negative M. tuberculosis protein 64 (MPT-64) antigen test; and nearly identical cycle threshold values for insertion sequence 6110 (IS6110) and internal transcribed spacer targets in real-time PCR strongly suggest BCG infection. CONCLUSIONS: These findings could facilitate the rapid identification of M. bovis BCG and appropriate treatments.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Bladder and Urothelial Cancer Treatments Immune responses and vaccinations Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology

Publication details

Journal / source
Clinical Laboratory
Publisher
Clinical Laboratory Publications
Volume
72
Issue
04/2026
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN