Cutaneous blastomycosis revealing intravascular B-cell lymphoma: a case in Morocco

• Published in: Médecine tropicale Vol. 67; no. 3; p. 278
• Main Authors: Harket, A, Oukabli, M, Al Bouzidi, A, Zoubeir, Y, Quamous, O, Baba, N, Doghmi, K, Mikdame, M, Rimani, M, Sedrati, O, Labraimi, A
• Format: Magazine Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.06.2007
• Subjects: Blastomycosis - complications; Fatal Outcome; Humans; Lymphoma, B-Cell - complications; Lymphoma, B-Cell - diagnosis; Male; Middle Aged; Morocco; Vascular Neoplasms - complications; Vascular Neoplasms - diagnosis; Morocco
• ISSN: 0025-682X

Blastomycosis is a systemic fungal infection caused by a thermally dimorphic fungus, Blastomyces dermatitidis. The incidence in immunocompromised patients has increased in the last two decades. A 55-year-old man consulted for inflammatory nodules on the forearm. Biopsy of one nodules showed a pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplastic epidermis overlaying a dense agranulomatous inflammatory infiltrate containing free-formed ovoid bodies enclosing giant macrophageous cells. These findings were consistent with blastomycosis. After a month of treatment cutaneous lesions regressed partially but the patient's general status continued to deteriorate with the appearance of an edematous-ascitic syndrome and icterus. Laboratory blood testing demonstrated cholestasia and abdominal ultrasound showed hepatosplenomegaly. Needle liver biopsy revealed giant B-cell lymphomatous infiltration of the hepatic ducts. The patient's condition worsened rapidly and he died five months after diagnosis despite four rounds of chemotherapy. Blastomycosis is rare in Morocco. Primary infection is usually a pneumonic process. Isolated cutaneous infection is possible but uncommon. To our knowledge the association of blastomycosis and intravascular lymphoma has not been previously reported. In immunocompromised patients, clinical findings can be alarming and the outcome can be rapidly fatal.