Cutaneous Granulomatosis Revealing Whipple’s Disease: Value of <i>Tropheryma whipplei</i> Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for the Diagnosis

Abstract

Whipple’s Disease is a rare systemic infectious disease caused by the ubiquitous actinomycetes Tropheryma whipplei (T. whipplei). We report herein a rare case of a cutaneous granulo matosis with hypercalcemia as an unusual presenting feature of Whipple’s disease. The diagnosis of the bacteria was obtained from skin and inguinal lymph node biopsy (16 rDNA PCR screening and histological examination using PAS staining). T. whipplei was also identified on saliva and stool specimens, using specific PCR and colonic biopsies. Treatment with hydroxychloroquine and doxycycline allowed a rapid resolution of symptoms with a complete recovery.

Keywords

• granulomatosis
• polymerase chain reaction
• skin
• Whipple’s disease
• <i>Tropheryma whipplei</i>