Vesiculobullous and hemorrhagic erythema migrans: uncommon variants of a common disease.
BACKGROUND
The diagnosis of Lyme disease relies on the accurate diagnosis of erythema chronicum migrans (ECM) because serologic tests, culture, and polymerase chain reactions are often inaccurate. Although ECM is classically associated with a targetoid rash, there are many variants of this lesion. These variants of ECM are often initially diagnosed as cellulitis or spider bite reactions and treated with oral antibiotics. Inappropriate treatment further delays the diagnosis of Lyme disease, leading to late complications.


METHODS
We present four cases of vesiculobullous and hemorrhagic ECM, a less common variant of ECM.


RESULTS
All four patients had a history of exposure to wooded areas in Massachusetts during the summer months. In these patients, ECM presented with central vesicles and bullae with hemorrhage, crusting, and in some cases necrosis. Serologic testing was positive in three of the four cases at presentation. In one case, microscopic examination of a skin biopsy showed epidermal spongiosis with parakeratosis, focal necrosis, papillary dermal edema, erythrocyte extravasation, and a superficial and deep perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate with neutrophils and eosinophils of the dermis. No fungal organisms or bacteria were identified. All four patients were treated with doxycycline with complete resolution of symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important to recognize the vesiculobullous and hemorrhagic variants of ECM in order to minimize the provision of inappropriate antibiotic treatment for other diagnoses. Early diagnosis of ECM and the initiation of appropriate antibiotics may prevent late complications of Lyme disease.
Department of Dermatology, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Suchismita
S
Paul
Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Philip I
PI
Song
Department of Dermatology, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Oluwatobi A
OA
Ogbechie
Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Daniel Y
DY
Sugai
Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Keith W
KW
Morley
Department of Dermatology, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.|Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Peter C
PC
Schalock
Department of Dermatology, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.|Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Daniela
D
Kroshinsky
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D025065:Borrelia burgdorferi / Q000276:immunology*; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015787:Erythema Chronicum Migrans / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012698:Serologic Tests; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D004318:Doxycycline