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Cutaneous lymphohistiocytic infiltrates with foamy macrophages: A novel histopathological clue to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia septicemia
Author(s) -
Saggini Andrea,
Gorkiewicz Gregor,
Cerroni Lorenzo
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/cup.13893
Subject(s) - stenotrophomonas maltophilia , vasculitis , pathology , medicine , basophilic , biology , pseudomonas aeruginosa , disease , bacteria , genetics
The best‐known cutaneous manifestations of septicemia in the skin are the so‐called “septic vasculitis” and “septic vasculopathy,” which represent two sides of the same pathogenetic process. The spectrum of cutaneous presentations of septicemia is, however, more complex, extending beyond septic vasculitis/vasculopathy. We describe the exceptional histopathological findings of skin lesions associated with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia septicemia, featuring a lymphohistiocytic infiltrate characterized by predominance of foamy macrophages containing granular basophilic material negative for PAS, Gram, Fite, and Grocott. Albeit an uncommon occurrence, S. maltophilia septicemia should be included in the broad differential diagnosis of cutaneous lesions occurring in immunocompromised individuals with worsening general conditions. Awareness of these histopathological findings may facilitate the identification of this insidious infectious agent as a source of nosocomial septicemia.