title: Cutaneous malakoplakia in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
abstract: Malakoplakia is an uncommon granulomatous lesion that afflicts predominantly immunocompromised individuals but is extremely rare in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We report a case of cutaneous malakoplakia in an AIDS patient that presented as a banal right axillary abscess which resolved after excision and drainage. The rarity of malakoplakia in AIDS may be due to a relative or selective preservation of antimicrobial function of monocytes. Malakoplakia is distinguished from other inflammatory or neoplastic lesions by the presence of Michaelis-Gutmann bodies. A correct diagnosis is usually made only after biopsy and is an indication to use antimicrobial agents with adequate cellular penetration and concentration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, St. Michael's Hospital and University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barnard
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chalvardjian
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001706:Biopsy; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008287:Malacoplakia / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers