Infiltrated penile papules as a cutaneous manifestation of disseminated BCGitis: A rare dermatologic presentation

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2025

Authors

Nogueira, CM (Author) Other; Machado, C (Author) Other; Santos, RB (Author) Other; Faustino, AS (Author) Other; Ceia, F (Author) Other; Pinto, C (Author) Other; Carmen Silva (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STD & AIDS

ISSN: 0956-4624

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-01A-P5S

DOI: 10.1177/09564624251407475

Abstract (EN): Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Gu & eacute;rin (BCG) therapy is a mainstay for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, but may rarely cause disseminated infection. We describe a 71-year-old man who developed fever, respiratory failure, and hepatomegaly 1 week after completing maintenance intravesical BCG instillations. Examination revealed multiple erythematous-violaceous papules on the glans penis. Biopsies of both skin and liver showed granulomatous inflammation with focal necrosis; Ziehl-Neelsen, PAS, and Grocott stains, culture, and PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex were negative. These findings supported a diagnosis of disseminated BCGitis with cutaneous penile involvement. Anti-tuberculous therapy with rifampicin, isoniazid, and ethambutol led to full systemic and cutaneous improvement. Penile involvement in BCGitis is exceedingly uncommon, and microbiologic confirmation is often lacking due to low sensitivity. Awareness of this entity is essential, as early recognition and prompt therapy can prevent severe systemic complications and improve outcomes in patients recently exposed to intravesical BCG.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 3