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Published on: November 22, 2013
Kingella kingae DNA in langerhans cell histiocytosis of bone
Nawal El Houmami1, Grégory Dubourg, Philippe Minodier
1From the * Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, University La Timone Children's Hospital; †URMITE "Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes," UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095; ‡Department of Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, University North Hospital; §Department of Pediatric Oncology, La Timone Children's Hospital; and ¶Department of Pathology, University La Timone Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France.
Insights
Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) in children may be linked to Kingella kingae bacteria. Testing for K. kingae via polymerase chain reaction is recommended for pediatric LCH cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Histiocytosis
Background:
- Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) of bone is a rare pediatric neoplastic disorder.
- The pathogenesis of LCH remains unclear.
- Kingella kingae is a bacterium that can cause various infections in children.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old girl presented with LCH affecting the ilium.
- Kingella kingae was detected in the affected bone lesion.
- This is the first reported case linking K. kingae to pediatric LCH of bone.
Findings:
- The presence of K. kingae in the iliac lesion suggests a potential role in the pathogenesis of LCH.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a sensitive method for detecting K. kingae.
Implications:
- These findings suggest that K. kingae should be investigated in children diagnosed with LCH of bone.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of bacterial infections in LCH pathogenesis.
- This could lead to improved diagnostic approaches and potentially new therapeutic strategies for LCH.
Abstract:
Langerhans cell histiocytosis of bone is a rare pediatric neoplastic disorder of unclear pathogenesis. We report the case of a 3-year-old girl who presented with Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the ilium in which Kingella kingae was detected. Our findings argue for the search for K. kingae by polymerase chain reaction in children with Langerhans cell histiocytosis of bone.
