What it means
A weakened germ related to the one that causes tuberculosistoo-ber-kyoo-LOH-sisAn infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most often attacks the lungs.tubercul/o small swelling-osis abnormal conditionFull entry . As a vaccine it is given to infants in many countries where TB is common, but it is rarely used in the US. Put into the bladder through a catheter, it stirs up the immune system against early bladder cancer.
For the nurse
A person who had the BCG vaccine may have a positive TB skin test, so a TB blood test is often used instead; ask clients from other countries about it. After BCG bladder treatment, the client's urine is handled with care and the toilet disinfected as directed, since it contains live bacteria.
At a glance
| Also written | bacille Calmette-Guérin, bacillus Calmette-Guérin |
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Related terms
vaccine
A product that trains the immune system to protect the body against a specific disease.
tuberculosis
An infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most often attacks the lungs.