bacillary angiomatosis

Bacillary Angiomatosis: A Rare Infection

Bacillary angiomatosis (BA) is a rare and serious infection caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae or B. quintana. It primarily affects immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS.

• Cutaneous Manifestations: BA is characterized by the presence of lesions on or under the skin, which can appear as papules or nodules. These lesions may be scattered and can range in number from one to hundreds [6].
• Vascular Proliferation: The infection causes a vascular, proliferative form of Bartonella infection that leads to the formation of new blood vessels in the affected area [7][8]. This can result in the appearance of purple nodules resembling Kaposi's sarcoma [5].
• Systemic Illness: In severe cases, BA can lead to systemic illness, affecting not only the skin but also other organs such as the liver, spleen, and mucosal surfaces [13].

Key Features

• Immunocompromised Hosts: BA primarily affects individuals with weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections.
• Multiple Lesions: The infection can cause multiple lesions on the skin, which may be scattered or appear in large numbers.
• Vascular Proliferation: The bacteria cause vascular proliferation, leading to the formation of new blood vessels and the appearance of purple nodules.

References

[1] June 4, 2024 - Bacillary angiomatosis is a skin infection caused by Bartonella henselae or B. quintana. [2] August 20, 2024 - Bacillary angiomatosis is caused by Bartonella (Rochalimaea) quintana and Bartonella (Rochalimaea) henselae. [3] Bacillary angiomatosis is a vascular, proliferative form of Bartonella infection that occurs primarily in immunocompromised persons. [4] Patients with bacillary angiom

Common Signs and Symptoms of Bacillary Angiomatosis

Bacillary angiomatosis, a rare but significant vascular disease, primarily affects immunocompromised individuals. The condition is characterized by the presence of protuberant, purple to bright red, berrylike lesions on the skin, often surrounded by a collar of scale. These lesions can bleed profusely if traumatized and may resemble Kaposi sarcoma or pyogenic granulomas [11][13].

Cutaneous Manifestations

Patients with bacillary angiomatosis commonly report having scattered cutaneous papules and nodules or a subcutaneous nodule resembling a common bacterial abscess. Some of the nodules can be rather large, up to 10 cm in diameter [4]. The skin lesions may be accompanied by fever, which can occur once or repeatedly.

Systemic Symptoms

In addition to cutaneous manifestations, bacillary angiomatosis can also affect internal organs such as the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. Patients may experience systemic symptoms like bone pain, mainly in the shins, neck, and back [15]. Fever is a common symptom, which can occur once or repeatedly.

Other Symptoms

The condition can also cause lesions on mucosal surfaces, and in rare cases, it can affect the brain, bone marrow, gastrointestinal system, respiratory tract, spleen, and liver. The symptoms depend on the affected organ [10].

It's essential to note that bacillary angiomatosis is a vascular proliferative lesion caused by B. henselae and B. quintana, which can be seen in various organs, including the skin, subcutaneous tissue, bones, liver, lymph nodes, and other body parts.

References

[1] Symptoms and Signs of Bacillary Angiomatosis. [2] Signs and symptoms · Fever (may occur once or repeatedly). [3] Bone pain (mainly in the shins, neck, and back). [4] Skin lesions called "bacillary ... [5] May 15, 2024 — Signs and symptoms [6] October 5, 2022 - Bacillary angiomatosis: systemic illness characterized by lesions on the skin, mucosal surfaces, liver, spleen and other organs · Symptoms usually begin 3 to 14 days after being bitten or scratched by an infected feline. [7] What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Bacillary Angiomatosis? [8] Bacillary angiomatosis is the most prevalent among all. It may also affect the brain, bone marrow, lymph nodes, gastrointestinal system, respiratory tract, spleen, and liver, as well as other body parts. [9] The symptoms depend on the affected organ. [10] Symptoms and Signs of Bacillary Angiomatosis. [11] Bacillary angiomatosis is characterized by protuberant, purple to bright red, berrylike lesions on the skin, often surrounded by a collar of scale. Lesions bleed profusely if traumatized. They may resemble Kaposi sarcoma or pyogenic granulomas. [12] Bacillary Angiomatosis: Causes and Treatments. [13] Bacillary angiomatosis almost always occurs in immunocompromised people and is characterized by protuberant, purple to bright red, berrylike lesions on the skin, often surrounded by a collar of scale. Lesions bleed profusely if traumatized. [14

Bacillary angiomatosis, a rare disease caused by Bartonella bacteria, can be diagnosed through various diagnostic tests.

Histopathology and Microscopy

• Histopathological examination of skin lesions is crucial in diagnosing bacillary angiomatosis [1].
• Special stains such as Warthin-Starry stain or gram stain can highlight the pink-purple clumps of bartonella organisms [8].

Molecular Tests

• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis can be used to identify the causative agent, Bartonella henselae [3].
• PCR is a sensitive and specific test for diagnosing bacillary angiomatosis [6].

Immunological Tests

• Indirect immunofluorescent antibody studies and enzyme immunoassays can also be used to detect antibodies against Bartonella [2].
• These tests are useful in confirming the diagnosis, especially when PCR results are inconclusive.

Other Diagnostic Methods

• Radiography may show hepatomegaly and cystic lesions, which can support the diagnosis of bacillary angiomatosis [5].
• Dermoscopy, a non-invasive diagnostic technique, has been used to describe cutaneous vascular lesions associated with bacillary angiomatosis [4].

It's essential to note that a combination of these tests may be necessary for an accurate diagnosis. Consultation with a healthcare professional is recommended for proper evaluation and treatment.

References: [1] Context 1 [2] Context 2 [3] Context 3 [4] Context 4 [5] Context 5 [6] Context 6 [7] Context 7 [8] Context 8

Treatment Options for Bacillary Angiomatosis

Bacillary angiom

**Differential Diagnosis