Published on 08/03/2015 by admin
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Last modified 08/03/2015
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Chapter 17
Dirk M. Elston
An infectious disease atlas can be found in the on-line content for this book.
Key features
• Neutrophilic crust
• Chains or clusters of cocci
Impetigo recruits neutrophils to the stratum corneum. Organisms are commonly visible in hematoxylin and eosin sections. Gram stain and culture may be required.
Differential Diagnosis
Collections of neutrophils within the stratum corneum: psoriasis, tinea, impetigo, Candida, seborrheic dermatitis, syphilis (PTICSS)
Fig 17-1 Impetigo
• Subcorneal bulla
• Acantholysis in granular layer
Staphylococcal scalded-skin syndrome and pemphigus foliaceus demonstrate acantholysis at the same level.
Fig 17-2 Bullous impetigo
• Suppurative inflammation in or around a follicle
• Focal crusts in the stratum corneum
• Vertical column of suppurative inflammation in the dermis
The follicle may not be visible in every plane of section. In some sections, only a focus of inflammatory cells may be noted in the dermis. The microscopic differential diagnosis includes bacterial infection (including furunculosis and hot-tub folliculitis), fungal infection, chemical folliculitis, acne, rosacea, and pustular drug eruption.
• Large staphylococcal grains in tissue
• Abscesses and sinus tracts
Clinically, botryomycosis may resemble a mycetoma. The grains represent huge staphylococcal colonies.
Fig 17-3 Botryomycosis
• Acral skin
• Dell or pit in stratum corneum
• Rods and cocci at base of dell
Pitted keratolysis is rarely biopsied because it is readily distinguished by its appearance and smell (so-called “toxic sock syndrome”). Both micrococci and diphtheroids are generally present (Kytococcus sedentarius and Corynebacterium).
Fig 17-4 Pitted keratolysis
• Rods forming vertical filaments in stratum corneum
• Inflammation variable
Fig 17-5 Erythrasma
• Necrosis of deep dermal vessels
• Amphophilic bacilli surrounding vessels (light blue haze)
• Lack of inflammatory infiltrate around vessels
• Variable hemorrhage and cutaneous necrosis
Fig 17-6 Ecthyma gangrenosum
Ecthyma gangrenosum is usually a manifestation of Pseudomonas sepsis.
• Sheets of plasma cells
• Russell bodies
• Mikulicz cells (resemble globi of leprosy)
Rhinoscleroma is caused by Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis. The inflammatory infiltrate is mixed, and contains many plasma cells. Russell bodies are plasma cells filled with bright pink immunoglobulin (“pregnant plasma cells”). The nucleus may no longer be visible. Mikulicz cells are histiocytes containing large round collections of bacilli.
Fig 17-7 Rhinoscleroma
• Ulcer
• Zone of necrosis, fibrin, and neutrophils at surface
• Granulation tissue
• Many plasma cells below granulation tissue
• Gram stain and culture may demonstrate bacteria
Fig 17-8 Chancroid
• Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia with neutrophilic abscesses
• Organisms within histiocytes (Donovan bodies)
The organism may be seen best in very thin, plastic-embedded sections, processed as for electron microscopy.
Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia with intraepidermal pustules (PEH and pus): “Here come big green leafy veggies”:
• Here – halogenoderma
• Come – chromomycosis
• Big – blastomycosis
Dermatopathology
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