BACILLARY ANGIOMATOSIS IN AN IMMUNOCOMPETENT CHILD - THE 1ST REPORTEDCASE

Bacillary angiomatosis, an infectious process associated with Rochalim a spp., was thought until recently to be restricted to HIV-infected or otherwise immunosuppressed patients. In 1993, bacillary angiomatosis was reported in several immunocompetent adults. An extensive literatur e review failed to find references to bacillary angiomatosis in immuno competent children. We describe a 6-year-old female who presented with a single, rapidly growing, friable, erythematous papule on her neck. Histologic examination of a biopsy specimen confirmed the diagnosis of bacillary angiomatosis. The patient was otherwise healthy, and her ph ysical examination was normal. Laboratory studies, including HIV serol ogy, were normal. The patient was treated with six weeks of oral eryth romycin without evidence of recurrence. We present and discuss the imp lications of the first case of bacillary angiomatosis in an immunocomp etent child.