Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy

Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy

Article
Diseases & Conditions
Cancer & Benign Tumors
+2
Contributed byLester Fahrner, MD+1 moreApr 15, 2021

What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

  • Bacillary Angiomatosis causing Enlarged Lymph Nodes
  • Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenitis
  • Enlarged Lymph Nodes due to Bacillary Angiomatosis

What is Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy? (Definition/Background Information)

  • Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy is the inflammation and enlargement of lymph nodes due to underlying Bacillary Angiomatosis, which is caused by a bacteria
  • Bacillary Angiomatosis is a benign vascular tumor caused by infection with bacteria, namely Bartonella henselea or Bartonella quintana
  • An angiomatosis is a benign growth of small blood vessels involving multiple soft tissue types, organs, muscles, and bones. They are known to appear or spread across a large section of the body
  • Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy is more common in immunocompromised individuals, such as AIDS-affected individuals. Bacillary Angiomatosis can cause a variety of health concerns, depending on the tumor location and size
  • The condition is managed by treating the underlying immunosuppression and using antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection. The prognosis of Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy generally depends upon the severity of underlying signs and symptoms due to Bacillary Angiomatosis infection
  • With appropriate treatment, the prognosis for underlying Bacillary Angiomatosis can be excellent; though, it is also dependent upon the underlying cause of poor immune system

Who gets Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy? (Age and Sex Distribution)

  • Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy occurs due to underlying Bacillary Angiomatosis, which generally affects adults with weak immunity
  • A wide age range of individuals of both genders (males and females) may be affected
  • There is no known ethnic or racial preference for Bacillary Angiomatosis; the condition may be observed worldwide

What are the Risk Factors for Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy? (Predisposing Factors)

Immunocompromised individuals are at a high risk for Bacillary Angiomatosis causing Lymphadenopathy. The immunocompromised state may be due to factors such as:

  • HIV infection or AIDS
  • Immunosuppression after a major organ transplant (such as a kidney transplant)

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy? (Etiology)

Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy is caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselea or Bartonella quintana, typically in individuals with poor immune system.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy?

The signs and symptoms of Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy may include:

  • Lymphadenopathy or enlarged lymph nodes
  • Typically, it involves the lymph nodes closest to the skin lesions
  • Other lymph nodes of the body may also be affected
  • The swollen lymph nodes are generally painless

The associated signs and symptoms of Bacillary Angiomatosis may depend upon the location of the lesions, and may include:

  • The presence of slow-growing lesions that appear as raised pink papules
  • They may occur on any part of the body, such as on the skin and mucus membranes
  • Many organs, including the liver, may also be affected

How is Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy Diagnosed?

Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy is diagnosed through the following tools:

  • Complete physical examination with evaluation of medical history
  • Blood tests that may include:
    • Complete blood cell count (CBC) blood test
    • Blood antibodies test for the bacteria
  • CT, MRI scan of the affected region
  • Electron microscopic studies may be occasionally performed to confirm the diagnosis
  • Tissue biopsy using sample from the affected region

Note: A differential diagnosis may have to be undertaken to rule-out Kaposi sarcoma, which the condition resembles, before arriving at a definitive diagnosis.

In majority of the cases, a lymph node biopsy is not performed for Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy. However, if the signs and symptoms persist despite suitable treatment, then a biopsy may be undertaken to rule-out other causes of swollen glands (such as a lymphoma).

In case of a lymph node biopsy, the following information may be noted:

  • Lymph node biopsy: A lymph node biopsy is performed and sent to a laboratory for a pathological examination. The pathologist examines the biopsy under a microscope. After putting together clinical findings, special studies on tissues (if needed) and with microscope findings, the pathologist arrives at a definitive diagnosis. The pathologist may use special techniques, such as immunohistochemistry stains, to help reveal the presence of the pathogen
  • The lymph node biopsy may be performed through any of the following procedures:
    • Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB): A device called a cannula is used to extract tissue or fluid from the lymph nodes
    • Lymph node core biopsy of the enlarged lymph node
    • Lymph node open biopsy of the enlarged lymph node

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy?

The complications from Bacillary Angiomatosis causing Lymphadenopathy may include:

  • Enlarged lymph nodes may raise a concern for lymphoma (a form of cancer)
  • Ulceration of the lesions may cause abscess formation
  • There may be cosmetic concerns and associated stress
  • Large tumors involving organs may affect the function of the organs

How is Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy Treated?

The treatment measures for Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy include:

  • Undertaking treatment of underlying immunosuppression (HIV infection or AIDS)
  • Treating the bacterial infection with antibiotics can cause the tumors to shrink and disappear, resulting in a complete recovery. However, this may take over a month
  • Since the tumors respond well to antibiotic therapy, in most cases, surgery to remove them is not usually necessary
  • Also, follow-up care with regular screening and check-ups are important post-treatment

With appropriate treatment, the swollen lymph nodes and other signs and symptoms of the condition should get better.

How can Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy be Prevented?

  • Current medical research has not established a way of preventing Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy caused by underlying bacterial infection due to B. henselea or B. quintana
  • However, appropriate treatment of immunocompromised states can help avoid opportunistic infections such as Bacillary Angiomatosis

What is the Prognosis of Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

  • The prognosis of Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy is based on the severity of the underlying Bacillary Angiomatosis infection
  • A complete recovery can be generally expected through suitable antibiotic treatment
  • However, the prognosis is also dependent upon the underlying condition causing a weak immune system. A delayed diagnosis and/or treatment may result in death

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Bacillary Angiomatosis Lymphadenopathy:

  • Bartonella henselae bacteria are the causative agent in cat scratch disease, which is transmitted to humans through contact with infected cats, through their bites, licks, or scratches.

General information on lymph nodes:

The lymph nodes are part of one’s immune system. The lymph nodes are present throughout the body, usually in groups. In normal healthy adults, one cannot feel (see or touch) the lymph nodes readily. However, if they are enlarged, they can be felt either by the individual himself/herself or by the healthcare provider.

Enlarged lymph nodes can occur in both benign and malignant conditions. Hence, the cause of enlarged lymph nodes should be evaluated. If no obvious cause for enlargement of lymph nodes is found, then the possibility of a lymph node malignancy should be ruled out.

In a majority of individuals, a lymph node swelling is caused by a benign process such as an inflammation or infection. In many cases, swollen lymph nodes are part of other signs and symptoms. This can help a healthcare provider arrive at a list of follow-up tests and ensure an accurate diagnosis. Superficial enlarged lymph nodes can be felt by the healthcare provider through palpation. Enlarged lymph nodes deep in the body are often detected by radiological studies such as X-rays, ultrasound scan, CT and MRI scans.

Some enlarged lymph nodes can be painful, while others may be painless. Depending upon the underlying cause, enlarged lymph nodes can be localized to a particular area of the body, or they can be generalized, meaning that they are present throughout the body.

Was this article helpful

On the Article

Krish Tangella MD, MBA picture
Approved by

Krish Tangella MD, MBA

Pathology, Medical Editorial Board, DoveMed Team
Lester Fahrner, MD picture
Reviewed by

Lester Fahrner, MD

Chief Medical Officer, DoveMed Team

0 Comments

Please log in to post a comment.

Related Articles

Test Your Knowledge

Asked by users

Related Centers

Loading

Related Specialties

Loading card

Related Physicians

Related Procedures

Related Resources

Join DoveHubs

and connect with fellow professionals

Related Directories

Who we are

At DoveMed, our utmost priority is your well-being. We are an online medical resource dedicated to providing you with accurate and up-to-date information on a wide range of medical topics. But we're more than just an information hub - we genuinely care about your health journey. That's why we offer a variety of products tailored for both healthcare consumers and professionals, because we believe in empowering everyone involved in the care process.
Our mission is to create a user-friendly healthcare technology portal that helps you make better decisions about your overall health and well-being. We understand that navigating the complexities of healthcare can be overwhelming, so we strive to be a reliable and compassionate companion on your path to wellness.
As an impartial and trusted online resource, we connect healthcare seekers, physicians, and hospitals in a marketplace that promotes a higher quality, easy-to-use healthcare experience. You can trust that our content is unbiased and impartial, as it is trusted by physicians, researchers, and university professors around the globe. Importantly, we are not influenced or owned by any pharmaceutical, medical, or media companies. At DoveMed, we are a group of passionate individuals who deeply care about improving health and wellness for people everywhere. Your well-being is at the heart of everything we do.

© 2023 DoveMed. All rights reserved. It is not the intention of DoveMed to provide specific medical advice. DoveMed urges its users to consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and answers to their personal medical questions. Always call 911 (or your local emergency number) if you have a medical emergency!