Persistent atypical lymphocytic hyperplasia following tick bite in a child: report of a case and review of the literature

Pediatr Dermatol. 2001 Nov-Dec;18(6):481-4. doi: 10.1046/j.1525-1470.2001.1861992.x.

Abstract

We report a 6-year-old girl who developed a red papule on the posterior neck at the site of a previous tick bite. Initial biopsy was performed a year after the bite and the specimen showed a dense lymphoid infiltrate with admixed CD30+ cells. The patient was referred to our center because of concern about the development of a CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorder. The lesion was completely excised. Histology showed no evidence of a clonal lymphoproliferative disorder or Borrelia infection, but persistence of CD30+ cells. This case demonstrates that a tick bite reaction can persist for more than 1 year and show immunophenotypic and morphologic overlap with a CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorder. Complete history with thorough clinical and histopathologic evaluation is necessary to arrive at the correct diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bites and Stings / complications*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Pseudolymphoma / diagnosis
  • Pseudolymphoma / etiology*
  • Pseudolymphoma / pathology
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin Diseases / diagnosis
  • Skin Diseases / etiology*
  • Skin Diseases / pathology
  • Ticks*