Hypersensitivity to mosquito bites with natural-killer cell lymphocytosis: the possible implication of Epstein-Barr virus reactivation

Eur J Dermatol. 2002 Jul-Aug;12(4):381-4.

Abstract

Hypersensitivity to mosquito bites (HMB) has been recognized as one of the wide variety of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphoproliferative disorders, some of which overlap with chronic active EBV infection and hydroa vacciniforme. It frequently predisposes to hemophagocytic syndrome or lymphoid malignancy with a clonal EBV replication. Here we report an 8-year-old Japanese boy who presented with a 3-year history of HMB. Every summer, he had repeated severe local skin reactions with high-grade fever, lymphadenopathy, and mild liver dysfunction after mosquito bites. Histologically, lymphoid cells overexpressing EBV-encoded small nuclear RNAs (EBER), a marker of latent EBV infection, and eosinophils infiltrated diffusely into the lesional skin. His blood tests showed a marked increase in the CD11b+ 16+ 56+ natural-killer cell population (~ 50% of the peripheral lymphocytes), but neither a clonal proliferation of EBV nor abnormal antibody titers to EBV. Quantitative PCR using a cloned EBV-determined nuclear antigen (EBNA)-1 vector revealed that a high copy number of the EBV genome is integrated into his peripheral blood cells even during the mosquito-free winter. Based on this evidence, he was diagnosed as being in a smoldering stage of HMB, in which EBV-associated NK cell lymphoproliferation might participate in its pathogenesis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Child
  • Culicidae*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / complications*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / pathology
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / etiology*
  • Hypersensitivity / virology
  • Insect Bites and Stings / complications*
  • Insect Bites and Stings / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction