Cutaneous viral infection as a presentation of intestinal lymphangiectasia

Abstract

SUMMARY A cell‐losing enteropathy is one consequence of intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL) and can lead to impairment of cell mediated immunity. This paper describes two patients who presented with atypical virus infections of the skin and who were subsequently found to have IL.

Cutaneous lymphangiectasia in a patient with primary intestinal lymphangiectasia

“…The most common dermatological presentation of PIL is recurrent lymphangitis or cellulitis of a limb . It is hypothesized that a functional immunocompromised state results from intestinal loss of immunoglobulins, in turn predisposing to recurrent bacterial infections.…”

“…It is hypothesized that a functional immunocompromised state results from intestinal loss of immunoglobulins, in turn predisposing to recurrent bacterial infections. Other cutaneous infections reported in PIL patients include extensive cutaneous warts and atypical varicella infections . Chylous reflux into the abdominal skin results in lesions resembling lymphangioma circumscriptum .…”