[A man with a swollen nipple]

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Lyme borreliosis is a tick-borne illness caused by Borrelia burgdorferi.
• Cutaneous manifestations are common, but specific presentations can be rare.
• Borrelial lymphocytoma is a recognized, albeit infrequent, skin manifestation.

Observation:

• A 39-year-old male presented with a 2-month history of a swollen nipple.
• Physical examination revealed erythema and a palpable mass in the nipple area.
• No significant lymphadenopathy was detected.

Findings:

• Blood examination confirmed the diagnosis of Borrelial lymphocytoma.
• This diagnosis indicates a cutaneous manifestation of Lyme borreliosis.
• The presentation mimicked other nipple pathologies but was confirmed as infectious.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering Lyme borreliosis in differential diagnoses for nipple lesions.
• Emphasizes the need for thorough diagnostic workups, including serological tests, for suspected Borrelial lymphocytoma.
• Underscores the potential for diverse clinical presentations of Lyme borreliosis, even in unusual locations.