Bacillary angiomatosis is an opportunistic potential fatal pseudoneoplastic infectious vascular proliferative disorder that primarily affects patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency disease (AIDS) most notable in the late stages of AIDS victims with CD4 lymphocytic count below 200 cells per cubic millimeter [1] [2] [3] .

Two gram-negative bacilli from the genus Bartonella are well known and recognized organisms that cause bacillary angiomatosis in humans and these organisms are Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana [1].

Bartonella henselae is the pathologic agent of cat-scratch transmitted by fleas and clinically characterized by lymphadenopathy and skin or visceral lesions [3].

A seven-year-old female presented to us with a six-month history of bilateral neck fast growing masses. The patient's retroviral disease (RVD) status was negative on both ELISA and Western blot tests. The patient's mother tested negative on ELISA test. Birth history showed that the patient was delivered through a normal vaginal delivery with an uneventful birth history. The birth weight was 2.7 kg and the birth length was 46.5 cm. The Apgar score was 10/10.

The patient had normal developmental milestones throughout her life and there was no known co-morbidities.

The body weight of the patient at presentation was 22 kg. The pulse 139/min, respiratory rate 24 bpm, temperature 36.2°C and 100% saturation.

Blood results showed elevated neutrophils while the rest of the full blood count was within normal limits. Renal and the liver function tests were also grossly normal.

Computed tomography (CT) scan showed bilateral round to oval shaped neck lymphadenopathy involving all the neck spaces (Figure 1) and (Figure 2). Some of the enlarged lymph nodes were mattered. The lymph nodes were enhancing postcontrast. The differential diagnosis on CT scan included: 1. Tuberculosis, 2. Lymphoma, 3. Castleman's disease.

Biopsy was then performed and it confirmed the diagnosis of bacillary angiomatosis.

The histopathology results in our patient were as follows:

Microscopy section showed a lymph node dissected by fibrous septa and hyaline deposits. Postcapillary venules were prominent and marked vascular proliferation. The germinal centers are regressive and exhibit plasma cells. The profile showed strong positivity of Warthin-Starry stain in keeping with the diagnosis of bacillary angiomatosis (Bartonella henselae).

The patient was treated with antibiotics which included imipenem 500 mg IVI 6 hourly, isoniazide 200 mg p.o. daily. The patient was also put on bactrim 1 tab per os daily and on fluconazole 240 mg intravenously daily. On follow-up the patient showed signs of improvement ever since the treatment was initiated a finding that is characterized by the reduction in the severity of the neck swelling

Bacillary angiomatosis is an opportunistic potential fatal pseudoneoplastic infectious vascular proliferative disorder that primarily affects patients with acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS) most notable in the late stages of AIDS victims with CD4 lymphocytic count below 200 cells per cubic millimeter [1] [2] [3].

Stoler et al. reported the first case of bacillary angiomatosis in a human immunodeficiency virus infected patient in year 1983 [3].

Other immunosuppressive conditions also predispose to the development of Bacillary angiomatosis, and these conditions include patients on long-term steroid therapy and organ transplant recipients and it is of importance noting that it is an extremely rare and an exceptional encounter do diagnose bacillary angiomatosis in immuno-competent individuals [1]. The HIV status of the patient was negative.

Bartonella quintana is now widely diagnosed in homeless people and the vector is a human body louse and was a cause of Trench fever during the First World War [3].

Bartonella henselae is not only limited to causing bacillary angiomatosis but has been noted as the causative organism in many other life-threatening disorders which include but not limited to neuroretinitis, encephalopathy, endocarditis, hepatic peliosis, hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenic purpura [4].

Some of the risk factors of this opportunistic disease are socioeconomic status and a contact with cats [5].

There are two forms of mucocutaneous manifestations of bacillary angiomatosis are the popular and the nodular types. Popular type typically presents with lesions that are rubbery to firm, red to purple and elevated and as granulation tissue-like appearance with variable sizes ranging between one millimeter and several centimeters [6].

The nodular type lesions are diagnosed by palpation and lesions are tender and do not overly the skin although lesions that are larger may breakthrough to the surface [6].

Routine histopathological evaluation helps in confirming the diagnosis be it presenting as infected lymphadenopathy, bone lesions, bacillary peliosis of the liver or the spleen as well as cutaneous bacillary angiomatosis [6].

Giving four doses of 250–500 mg dose of erythromycin per day has proved to be the most successful treatment option and other antibiotics like doxycycline 100 mg twice a day and ciprofloxacin are also showing good results [7].

One case of bacillary angiomatosis demonstrated a good response to dapsone 100 mg per day and zidovudine 500 mg per day [7].

Bacillary angiomatosis is an opportunistic condition commonly diagnosed in patients with AIDS. However, patients with other immunosuppressive disorders are also predisposing to bacillary angiomatosis. Diagnosing bacillary angiomatosis in immunocompetent individuals is extremely rare and exceptional. Histopathological diagnosis is the ultimate method.

We are thankful to our Radiographers Molopa Moyahabo Tink and Makuka Emilly Mogashoa for retrieving and preparing images for this case study.

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