[Mycobacterial infections in children in Central Tunisia. A study of 31 cases including 7 disseminated BCG-osis].

UNLABELLED: In order to analyze the current epidemiological pattern of mycobacterial infection in children in Central Tunisia, we studied retrospectively the clinical feature of 31 children with mycobacterial infection enrolled in the pediatrics department of Sousse during eight years period (1994-2001). Twenty three boys and eight girls aged two months to 13 years (mean age: 4 years and 8 months) were investigated. Among them, 24 patients suffered of tuberculosis (TBC) and 7 of disseminated BCG-osis. Pleuropulmonary TBC was observed in 12 patients either isolated (7 cases) or in association with at least another localization (5cases). 17 patients had extrapulmonary TBC with variable localisation. The 7 patients with disseminated BCG-osis had an underlying primary immunodeficiency of the cell-mediated immune response.

CONCLUSION: The current epidemiology of mycobacterial infections in children in our region indicates a high frequency of severe adverse effects of BCG vaccination occurring in genetically immunodeficient children.