[Bacillary angiomatosis related to Rochalimaea quintana. Anatomoclinical and ultrastructural study of cutaneous localizations in AIDS].

Abstract

We report a case of bacillary angiomatosis in a 53-year-old homosexual man with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Pathological and bacteriological studies of cutaneous nodules led to the identification of a rickettsia: Rochalimaea quintana. This observation prompted us to relate the clinical presentation of cutaneous and visceral forms of this disease. Histopathological patterns are also considered. They usually consist in a lobular proliferation of capillaries with plump and sometimes epithelioid endothelial cells. Polymorphonuclear cells, histiocytes and necrotic areas may be present. The most characteristic feature is the presence of interstitial, granular and amorphous clusters of bacteria. Diagnostic problems can be raised with Kaposi's angiosarcoma which can be associated with bacillary angiomatosis. Two types of Rochalimaea have so far been isolated in this disease i.e., R. henselae which is the most frequently involved, and R. quintana. The usefulness of making such a diagnosis resides in the sensitivity of bacillary angiomatosis to antibiotics, emphasing the need to carefully look for the presence of bacterial clusters when atypical angioproliferative lesion appears in patients with AIDS.

• Authors: F Bost, J P Brion, M Peoc'h, N Pinel, C Recule, F Le Marc'hadour, D Pasquier, M Micoud, B Pasquier
• Journal: Archives d'anatomie et de cytologie pathologiques (Arch Anat Cytol Pathol) Vol. 42 Issue 6 Pg. 289-96 ( 1994) ISSN: 0395-501X [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Angiomatose bacillaire liée à Rochalimaea quintana. Etude anatomoclinique et ultrastructurale de localisations cutanées au cours d'un SIDA.
• PMID: 7748000 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Erythromycin

Topics

• AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections (complications, drug therapy, pathology, surgery)
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (complications)
• Angiomatosis, Bacillary (complications)
• Erythromycin (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Skin Diseases, Infectious (complications, drug therapy, pathology, surgery)
• Trench Fever (complications, drug therapy, pathology, surgery)