The clinical spectrum of bacillary angiomatosis

Summary Bacillary angiomatosis is a recently recognized bacterial infectious disease that is seen mainly in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Including this publication, 45 patients have been described in the medical literature. In this report we describe examples of the clinical presentations of bacillary angiomatosis and review therapeutic strategies.     

Dendrocytes in verruga peruana and bacillary angiomatosis.

Verruga peruana and bacillary angiomatosis are two cutaneous diseases characterized by angiomatous growths linked to the presence of rickettsia-like organisms. These lesions are currently considered to be endothelial hyperplasias and to share many features. By immunohistochemistry and computerized image analysis, we studied the presence of factor-XIIIa-positive dendrocytes in these lesions and compared our data with similar research in capillary angiomas and normal skin. Other cell lines were studied by Ulex europaeus and by antibodies to the L1 antigen and to the von Willebrand factor. Dendrocytes were identified in the three types of angiomatous growth. They were numerous and appeared plump, but no more dendritic than in normal skin. Verruga peruana and bacillary angiomatosis should therefore be viewed as combined growths of endothelial cells and dendrocytes. The biological link between these two types of cells is emphasized.     

A case of bacillary angiomatosis presenting as leg ulcers

We report a 32-year-old immunocompetent man who had multiple leg ulcers caused by bacillary angiomatosis without a history of direct contact with cats. Bacillary angiomatosis should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of leg ulcers in cases of unknown aetiology.     

A case of bacillary angiomatosis developed at a burn site

Bacillary Angiomatosis (BA) is frequently seen in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-induced immunodeficiency. Our patient was a case that developed granuloma-like lesions in the area of a burn, 8 days after being burnt on the upper right arm by scalding water. No indication of immune deficiency was observed and no history of direct contact with cats was evident. By the sixth day of the patient's admission to our clinic, some of the lesions had reached a diameter of 2.5 cm. An excision biopsy was carried out from the lesions present on the patient. Electron microscopy revealed solitary bacilli located close to the capillary wall. Oral erythromycin treatment was implemented at 250 mg, 4 times a day for 2.5 months. Within this period of treatment, the lesions regressed completely, and a complete cure was achieved. This case demonstrates that BA must be considered in the differential diagnosis of both HIV-infected and immunocompetent patients.     

HIV‐negative case of bacillary angiomatosis with chronic hepatitis B

Bacillary angiomatosis (BA) is an infectious disease which occurs predominantly in immunosuppressive patients and rarely in immunocompetent individuals. We had a case of BA who presented with a red cutaneous nodule on his left leg of which histopathological examination revealed marked lobular proliferation of capillaries throughout the interstitium and clusters of bacilli with hematoxylin–eosin and Warthin–Starry stains, respectively. Antibody titer against Bartonella henselae was 1/32. The only systemic disease the patient had was chronic hepatitis B. HIV was negative and no other immunosuppressive status was established. In this case we believe that the immunological differences secondary to chronic hepatitis B could have caused a tendency for the disease development.     

A case report of bacillary angiomatosis in a patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus

A man infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) presented with a few-month history of an enlarging friable growth on the medial area of the left foot and a one-week history of bilateral lower extremity edema. Clinical and histologic examination led to a diagnosis of bacillary angiomatosis, and the patient responded to antibiotic therapy We provide an overview of bacillary angiomatosis, a rare disorder that affects immunocompromised patients with CD4 cell counts less than 100/microL.     

Molecular techniques in the diagnosis of deep and systemic mycosis

Making an early and sensitive diagnosis of invasive fungal infections in high-risk patients is mandatory, because it has major consequences on the effectiveness of antifungal therapy. Molecular assays have the potential to become the cornerstone of diagnosis, allowing for rapid, reliable detection of minute amounts of fungal DNA in various specimens at a low cost. PCR is gaining popularity as the platforms become more automated and commercially available; however, further studies are needed to explore the diagnostic value in patient subgroups (ie, children) and to define whether the underlying disease or the use of antifungal prophylaxis may influence assay results. Individualized management of high-risk patients would be desirable to integrate preemptive therapy strategies, and individual host and genetic factors. Pharmacological and epidemiological considerations should also be evaluated.     

反射性共聚焦显微镜对早期蕈样肉芽肿定位诊断与疗效监测的研究

【摘要】 目的 分析早期蕈样肉芽肿（MF）皮损的反射性共聚焦显微镜（RCM）与组织病理学特征的一致性,探讨RCM作为病理学诊断早期MF的辅助价值及动态监测治疗反应的可行性。方法 2014年1月至2018年1月在杭州市第三人民医院皮肤科门诊收集临床疑诊MF病例40例,男26例,女14例,年龄（47.0 ± 17.6）岁。根据总结的早期MF的RCM特征,对活检部位进行初步定位后行组织病理学检查,对比MF的RCM与病理特征。对MF确诊病例进行窄谱中波紫外线联合干扰素治疗,运用RCM对靶向皮损跟踪随访,9个月后评价疗效。结果 在40例临床疑诊MF病例中,根据RCM特征初步诊断典型MF 8例,疑似MF18例,排除14例;根据MF病理学特征诊断典型MF12例,疑似14例,排除14例。一致性分析显示,RCM特征分类与病理诊断结果的Kappa系数为0.848,P < 0.01。RCM与组织病理学特征之间表皮低折光细胞浸润的相关性最高（Kappa系数 = 1,P = 0.005）,其次是红斑期的真皮纤维化（Kappa系数 = 0.714,P = 0.035）。MF的RCM特征随着治疗的进行逐步恢复正常,但直至临床皮损完全缓解,非典型淋巴细胞依然存在。结论 RCM技术可用于早期疑诊MF皮损的病理取材定位,同时可尝试作为一种动态监测MF疗效的方法。     

Clinical, histologic, microbiologic, and biochemical characterization of the causative agent of bacillary (epithelioid) angiomatosis: a rickettsial illness with features of bartonellosis

It has been suggested that bacillary (epithelioid) angiomatosis (BEA) is a manifestation of cat scratch disease (CSD). Because of clinical similarity between this condition and the verruga peruana phase of bartonellosis, we sought to further characterize this disease as well as its causative agent and to compare it to bartonellosis. We isolated a small flagellated pleomorphic bacillus from skin lesions of two patients with BEA. Organisms were stained successfully with Warthin-Starry silver stains, but immunohistochemistry failed to demonstrate binding with a polyclonal antibody directed against the cat scratch bacillus. Whole cell fatty-acid gas chromatography performed on both BEA organisms and Bartonella bacilliformis demonstrated marked similarity between the two. Electron microscopy of BEA organisms in tissue and in suspension revealed features characteristic of a gram negative bacillus. Based on these findings, we propose that this unusual rickettsial infectious disease with vascular proliferation may represent an unusual variant of infection with a bartonella-like organism rather than a manifestation of cat scratch disease.     

Immunohistochemistry in the differential diagnosis of nodular hidradenoma and glomus tumor.

The histologic distinction between nodular hidradenoma and glomus tumor is an occasional difficult diagnostic problem. Both tumors may show circumscribed aggregates of uniform epithelioid cells, a myxoid stroma, and variable numbers of blood vessels. Especially troublesome are solid cellular hidradenomas without duct-like structures and glomus tumors without a vascular pattern. To develop an immunohistochemical profile useful in this differential diagnosis, 25 selected skin tumors and four normal glomus bodies were studied with antibodies against low molecular-weight cytokeratin (CAM 5.2), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), S-100, and vimentin (VIM). The tumors included eight unequivocal hidradenomas, seven unequivocal glomus tumors, and 10 histologically equivocal cases, originally diagnosed as glomus tumors. In all unequivocal glomus tumors and glomus bodies, only VIM was positive. Of the eight unequivocal hidradenomas, three were positive for CAM 5.2, EMA, CEA, S-100, and VIM; two for CAM 5.2 only; one for CAM 5.2, EMA, and S-100; one for CAM 5.2, EMA, and CEA; and one for CEA only. In the histologically equivocal cases, eight were positive for VIM only, characteristic of glomus tumor; and two were positive for CAM 5.2, EMA, CEA, S-100, and VIM, and were reclassified as hidradenomas. The study suggests that morphologic criteria may not always accurately differentiate between hidradenoma and glomus tumor and that in equivocal cases immunohistochemistry may be useful in the differential diagnosis.     

Key points in the dermoscopic diagnosis of hypomelanotic melanoma and nodular melanoma

Nodular melanoma (NM) and amelanotic/hypomelanotic melanoma (AHM) often present a challenge to the diagnosing clinician. A significant proportion of AHM are nodular in nature. Such tumors may lack features of asymmetry and altered peripheral pigmentation routinely observed in other melanoma subtypes. This lack of distinguishing clinical features can potentially result in delayed diagnosis or inappropriate treatment. This review highlights the key points in evaluating the range of lesions where AHM or NM are considered in the differential diagnosis and summarizes current evidence in relation to pigmented and vascular dermoscopic diagnostic criteria for both.     

Erythema nodosum and erythema induratum (nodular vasculitis): diagnosis and management

Erythema nodosum is the most common type of panniculitis; it may be due to a variety of underlying infectious or otherwise antigenic stimuli. The pathogenesis remains to be elucidated, but both neutrophilic inflammation and granulomatous inflammation are implicated. Beyond treating underlying triggers, therapeutic options consist mainly of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, symptomatic care, potassium iodide, and colchicine. Erythema induratum (nodular vasculitis) is a related but distinctly different clinicopathologic reaction pattern of the subcutaneous fat. It is classically caused by an antigenic stimulus from Mycobacterium tuberculosis but may be associated with several other underlying disorders. After appropriate antimicrobial treatment in tuberculous cases, therapy for erythema induratum is similar to options for erythema nodosum.     

Molecular diagnosis of cutaneous diseases

OBJECTIVES: To provide an update on the molecular procedures used increasingly in the study and diagnosis of a variety of dermatologic malignancies and inflammatory disorders and to explore the potential use of these techniques in clinical dermatology. Herein, we review assays such as G-banding, fluorescence in situ hybridization, comparative genomic hybridization, and spectral karyotyping in conjunction with the polymerase chain reaction and DNA microarrays. DATA SOURCES: PubMed was searched for published articles on molecular diagnosis and dermatologic diseases. STUDY SELECTION: All English-language studies were selected if they provided useful methodologic information or highlighted the usefulness of molecular techniques. DATA EXTRACTION: Only methodologic and qualitative information was extracted. DATA SYNTHESIS: The information was synthesized into 2 sections: one describing the principles of different molecular diagnostic techniques, and the other highlighting the contributions of molecular diagnostic techniques to the understanding and diagnosis of several dermatologic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: A basic understanding of the principles of molecular diagnostic techniques is crucial for the practicing dermatologist to benefit from the increasing number of molecular diagnostic articles appearing in the literature and potentially to apply these methods in clinical practice.     

Gene rearrangement studies in the diagnosis of primary systemic and nodular primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis

Difficulties may arise in the diagnosis of patients with clinical features suggestive of plasma cell dyscrasia-related amyloidosis (amyloidosis L), but without evidence of a paraprotein. We have employed gene rearrangement methodology to demonstrate the clonality of bone marrow cells not only in a patient with myeloma-associated systemic amyloidosis, but also in a patient with "primary" systemic amyloidosis without overt myeloma or a detectable paraprotein. Furthermore, we have shown the clonality of the amyloid-producing plasma cells within a skin nodule of a patient with primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis; by contrast, clonal rearrangement was not detected in bone marrow cells from this patient. This finding provides definitive proof that organ-limited nodular primary localized cutaneous amyloid deposits arise in relation to cutaneous plasmacytomas. Gene rearrangement studies may enable early diagnosis and initiation of treatment in patients with systemic amyloidosis L, as well as their differentiation from patients with organ-limited nodular cutaneous amyloidosis, who do not require aggressive therapy.