Sternal tuberculosis in a 9‐month‐old infant after BCG vaccination

Tuberculosis osteitis is mainly observed as a late complication of the pulmonary infection. We describe a 9‐mo‐old Japanese infant who became infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis even after receiving Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) vaccination at 3 mo of age. This is the first report that the sternum is the localizatio n for tuberculou s osteitis in infants. He developed a localized tumor in the sternum without any respiratory symptom. Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex was detected by means of nucleic acid amplification test. Gastric aspirates also yielded Mycobacterium tuberculosis . The source of the infection was unclear. Conclusion : Tuberculous osteitis should be excluded in infants with undiagnosed bone lesions, even if they have been vaccinated with BCG. ± BCG vaccination, infant, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, sternum, tuberculous osteitis