BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA), the late cutaneous manifestation of Lyme borreliosis, can be challenging. Histologic changes in ACA have been described in a few studies from endemic countries, relying on cases documented by serology only.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to reassess the clinicopathological spectrum of ACA in a series of thoroughly documented cases.
METHODS: Patients prospectively included in a national prospective study were selected on the basis of positive culture and/or polymerase chain reaction of a skin biopsy sample. The diagnosis of ACA was confirmed by reviewing the clinical and serologic data. Histopathological samples were carefully reviewed.
RESULTS: Twenty patients were included. Unusual clinical features (ie, numerous small violaceous patches and equidistant small spinous papules with background faint erythema) were observed in 2 patients. Histopathological examination revealed a classic plasma cell-rich perivascular and interstitial pattern with telangiectases in 16 of 25 samples, whereas strikingly prominent granuloma annulare-like or lichenoid features were observed in 4 and 2 of 25 cases, respectively, and discrete nonspecific minor changes in 3 of 25 cases.
CONCLUSIONS: The small number of patients was a limitation.
CONCLUSIONS: Genuine culture- and/or polymerase chain reaction-proven ACA can rarely present as numerous violaceous patches or cluster of spinous papules clinically, and as a granuloma annulare-like or lichenoid dermatosis histologically.