Bacillary angiomatosis in an immunocompetent child: a case report and review of the literature

Am J Dermatopathol. 2011 Jul;33(5):513-5. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0b013e3181ec846a.

Abstract

Bacillary angiomatosis is an infectious disease caused by 2 gram-negative bacilli, Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana. This disease is characterized by vascular proliferations in the skin and/or visceral organs, and typically manifests in immunocompromised patients. However, we report a case of a 10-year-old immunocompetent female child with a questionable history of being scratched by a cat. Although initially diagnosed as a pyogenic granuloma, a diagnosis of bacillary angiomatosis was made based on histologic examination of the excised lesion demonstrating interstitial bacillary deposition on Warthin-Starry silver stain. The patient was successfully treated with 2 weeks of azithromycin after which all symptoms resolved.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiomatosis, Bacillary / drug therapy
  • Angiomatosis, Bacillary / etiology
  • Angiomatosis, Bacillary / pathology*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Azithromycin / therapeutic use
  • Bartonella Infections / drug therapy
  • Bartonella Infections / pathology
  • Cats
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Azithromycin