Bacillary angiomatosis associated with extensive esophageal polyposis: a new mucocutaneous manifestation of acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS).

Abstract

Bacillary angiomatosis is a rare infection that has been associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection. The causative organism is Rochalimaea henselae and contact with cats is a risk factor. We present a case of a 37-yr-old man who had recent prolonged exposure to a cat and presented with fever, iron deficiency anemia, and guaiac-positive stools who had biopsy-proven bacillary angiomatosis skin lesions and on esophagogastroduodenoscopy had multiple, diffuse, friable, polypoid lesions in the esophagus. The histology of the esophageal polyps was identical to the skin lesions, and the polyps disappeared after treatment with erythromycin. Bacillary angiomatosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of infectious upper gastrointestinal manifestations associated with AIDS.