Disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma associated with idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia and low dose steroid therapy.
A case of disseminated Kaposi sarcoma in a 76-year-old woman treated with low-dose steroids for a seronegative polyarthritis is described. HIV serology was negative, whereas PCR for HHV-8 was positive. The patient presented with a profound reduction in the peripheral blood CD4+ cell count and a decrease in serum immunoglobulins and was diagnosed as having idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia. The clinical picture was characterized by limited cutaneous lesions with typical features of KS associated with widespread visceral involvement and unusually aggressive behaviour.
Fierro
M T
MT
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Clinics and Oncological Dermatology, University of Turin, Italy. mariateresa.fierro@unito.it
Savoia
P
P
Quaglino
P
P
Novero
D
D
Bernengo
M G
MG
D000368:Aged; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D011241:Prednisone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D018344:T-Lymphocytopenia, Idiopathic CD4-Positive / Q000150:complications*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011241:Prednisone