Pediatric Mycobacterium bovis Infection: Clinical Spectrum, BCG-Related Disease, Primary Immunodeficiency, and a Comprehensive Review of the Literature

Objectives

Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) infection in children is uncommon but may remain unrecognized because routine laboratory methods often fail to distinguish it from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In addition, Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG)-associated M. bovis infection may represent the first manifestation of an underlying primary immunodeficiency. This study aimed to describe the clinical spectrum, diagnostic features, treatment, and outcomes of pediatric M. bovis infection and to review the contemporary literature on BCG-associated disease and primary immunodeficiency.