Pseudomonas eccrine hidradenitis in a child revealing acute lymphoblastic leukemia

INTRODUCTION: We report the case of a Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa eccrine hidradenitis in a child, or a "Pseudomonas Hot Foot Syndrome", revealing an acute lymphoblastic leukemia. OBSERVATION: A 10 year-old girl consulted for the sudden onset of painful and necrotic palmoplantar nodules in a context of fever and shivering. Histology of a cutaneous biopsy found necrosis of the eccrine glands and, on culture, P. aeruginosa. The blood count revealed pancytopenia and the myelogram acute lymphoblastic leukemia. All the hemocultures and other microbiological samples were negative. The cutaneous signs had appeared 48 hours after bathing in an aquatic amusement park. Diagnosis of Pseudomonas eccrine hidradenitis, or "Pseudomonas Hot Foot Syndrome" was retained, although the local sanitary authorities were not able to demonstrate P. aeruginosa contamination of the water in the park. COMMENTS: Lesions evoking juvenile Pseudomonas aeruginosa eccrine hidradenitis without obvious traumatic factor must lead to the search for P. aeruginosa contamination from water and the subsequent sanitary and epidemiological consequences. Furthermore, severe P. aeruginosa cutaneous infections in children must also lead to the search for an underlying immunosuppression and notably an acute leukemic process.