Carrion's disease (Bartonellosis bacilliformis) confirmed by histopathology in the High Forest of Peru

Authors

  • Vicente Maco Hospital de Apoyo de Pichanaki
  • Ciro Maguiña Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Departamento de Enfermedades Transmisibles y Dermatológicas
  • Antonio Tirado Hospital de Apoyo de Pichanaki
  • Vicente Maco C. Hospital Central de la Policia Nacional del Perú; Departamento de Anatomia Patológica
  • José E. Vidal Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas

Keywords:

Bartonellosis, Bartonella bacilliformis, Carrion's disease, Epidemiology, High Forest, Peru

Abstract

Bartonellosis or Carrion's disease is endemic in some regions of Peru, classically found in the inter-Andean valleys located between 500 and 3200 meters above sea level. We report the case of a 43 year-old male patient, farmer, who was born in the Pichanaki district (Chanchamayo, Junin), located in the High Forest of Peru. He presented with disseminated, raised, erythematous cutaneous lesions, some of which bled. The distribution of these lesions included the nasal mucosa and penile region. Additionally subcutaneous nodules were distributed over the trunk and extremities. Hematologic exams showed a moderate anemia. Serologic studies for HIV and Treponema pallidum were negative. The histopathologic results of two biopsies were compatible with Peruvian wart. Oral treatment with ciprofloxacin (500 mg BID) was begun. Over 10 days, the patient showed clinical improvement. This is the first report of a confirmed case of bartonellosis in the eruptive phase originating from the Peruvian High Forest, showing the geographical expansion of the Carrion's disease.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2004-06-01

Issue

Section

Case Report

How to Cite

Maco, V., Maguiña, C., Tirado, A., Maco C., V., & Vidal, J. E. (2004). Carrion’s disease (Bartonellosis bacilliformis) confirmed by histopathology in the High Forest of Peru . Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De São Paulo, 46(3), 171-174. https://revistas.usp.br/rimtsp/article/view/30813