Hypodermitis Sclerodermiformis and Unusual Acid-Fast Bacteria

Procollagen type I gene expression and cell proliferation are increased in lipodermatosclerosis

“…Reluctance to biopsy LDS skin and the lack of a suitable animal model have resulted in a great deal of uncertainty regarding the histological nature of LDS-affected skin and hence in problems of nomenclature and of defining its progression. 5 LDS was first described as 'hypodermitis sclerodermaformis' by Hurietz et al 6 in 1955, but has subsequently been known as 'liposclerosis', 1 'hypodermatosclerosis sclerodermoformis', 7 'lipomembranous change in chronic panniculitis' 8 and 'sclerosing panniculitis'. 9 Kirsner et al 2 popularized the term 'lipodermatosclerosis' and, in accord with others, [8][9][10] suggested that LDS be divided into a number of stages based on histological findings.…”

Necroscopic Findings of Pleomorphic, Variably Acid‐Fast Bacteria in a Fatal Case of Kaposi's Sarcoma

“…Although highly controversial, studies by a number of different investigators have suggested that pleomorphic acid‐fast bacteria (possibly in a cell‐wall‐deficient, L form phase) may be associated with malignancy 8–15 and also with certain collagen diseases 18–20 . Possibly relevant to these studies are recent reports that indicate that cell‐wall‐deficient forms of staphylococcal, streptococcal, and corynebacteria‐like organisms may be universally present in the bloodstream of human beings 21–24 .…”

Lipodermatosclerosis

“…Cantwell et al. (2) believed that acid‐fast microorganisms played role in the pathogenesis of this condition for which they used the terms pseudoscleroderma as well as HS. They noticed that the earliest symptoms of HS resemble acute thrombophlebitis.…”