Mycobacterium bovis BCG: the importance of an accurate identification in the diagnostic routine

Abstract

M. bovis BCG is used clinically in the immunotherapy treatment of superficial bladder cancer to prevent progression to invasive disease, leading in some cases to a severe localized inflammation or disseminated infections. For this reason, an accurate and early identification of this particular microorganism is clinically relevant.We describe a case-report of bladder cancer with a urine culture-positive for mycobacteria initially diagnosed as MTB complex infection and later identified as BCG disease by molecular methods.

Keywords

• M. bovis BCG, bladder cancer, genotyping MTB complex