[Bacillary angiomatosis. A pseudoneoplastic infection in AIDS patients]

Bacillary angiomatosis is a newly recognized pseudoneoplastic vascular disease seen in the setting of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The disease is characterized by a cutaneous infection with reddish papules or nodules that are similar to pyogenic granulomas or Kaposi's sarcoma in clinical appearance. It is caused by the mildly gram-negative bacillus Rochalimaea henselae, which can be identified in tissue sections by means of Warthin-Starry stain. The historical, clinical, histopathological, and microbiological aspects and the differential diagnosis and therapy of bacillary angiomatosis are reviewed. It is important to be aware of these characteristics, because these lesions can easily be treated with antibiotic therapy.