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Published on: December 17, 2011

Kikuchi disease in association with Pasteurella multocida infection

Vanessa Kuan Wong1, Joanna Campion-Smith, Marium Khan

  • 1BMBCh, MRCP, MSc, Queen's Medical Centre, Department of Microbiology, Derby Road Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom. vanessawong@doctors.org.uk

Pediatrics
|February 4, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Kikuchi disease, a rare cause of fever and swollen lymph nodes, was linked to Pasteurella multocida infection in a teenage boy. This finding suggests a potential bacterial cause for this enigmatic condition.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pathology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Kikuchi disease is a rare, self-limiting condition of unknown etiology, typically presenting with fever and cervical lymphadenopathy.
  • The differential diagnosis for Kikuchi disease is broad, often including infectious and autoimmune etiologies.
  • Previous associations have been suggested with viral, bacterial, and protozoal agents, but definitive causative links remain elusive.

Observation:

  • A 15-year-old male presented with symptoms consistent with Kikuchi disease.
  • Blood cultures were obtained during the patient's presentation.
  • Histopathologic examination of lymph node biopsy confirmed Kikuchi disease.

Findings:

  • Blood cultures from the patient yielded growth of Pasteurella multocida.
  • This is the first reported case to isolate Pasteurella multocida in a patient diagnosed with Kikuchi disease.
  • The presence of Pasteurella multocida suggests a potential bacterial etiology for this rare condition.

Implications:

  • This case highlights Pasteurella multocida as a potential causative agent in Kikuchi disease.
  • Further research into bacterial etiologies, specifically Pasteurella multocida, is warranted for Kikuchi disease.
  • This finding may influence diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies for patients presenting with Kikuchi disease symptoms.

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