title: Why is Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease misleading?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) or histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis is a rare, benign, autoimmune condition characterized by lymphadenopathy, fever, and neutropenia. KFD has also been frequently reported in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of skin manifestations in KFD characterized by malar rash, photosensitivity, panniculitic lesions, positive antinuclear antibodies and nDNA, and negative extractable nuclear antigen. A biopsy performed on deep nodules on the arms revealed an infiltrate of monocytic cells. Electron microscopy showed no lymphocytic infiltrate at or below the basal membrane and no necrotic keratinocytes within the basal cells of the epidermis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Histological and ultrastructural data showed that skin manifestations of KFD and SLE share some common features. Electron microscopy analysis can help discriminate between the two diagnoses.
authors: Department of Dermatological Sciences University of Florence, Piazza dell'Indipendenza, Florence, Italy. francesca.prignano@unifi.it
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Prignano
authors: Angelo Massimiliano
authors: AM
authors: D'Erme
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Zanieri
authors: Diletta
authors: D
authors: Bonciani
authors: Torello
authors: T
authors: Lotti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D020042:Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D005340:Fibrinogen