Endoscopy 2007; 39: E30-E31
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-944991
Unusual cases and technical notes

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Colonic spirochetosis associated with dermatomyositis

A. Koulaouzidis1 , S. Campbell2 , S. Ahmed1 , S. Prados1 , W. C. Tan1
  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Warrington Hospital, Warrington, Cheshire, United Kingdom
  • 2Department of Gastroenterology, Royal University Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Further Information

A. Koulaouzidis, MRCP

Warrington Hospital

Lovely Lane

Warrington WA5 1QG

United Kingdom

Fax: +44-1925-662042

Email: akoulaouzidis@hotmail.com

Publication History

Publication Date:
07 February 2007 (online)

Table of Contents

A 37-year-old man presented with severe myalgia associated with abdominal pain and offensive-smelling diarrhea. He had an erythematous rash on his face, torso, and arms. His creatine kinase was raised at 30 145 IU/l (normal range 33 - 199 IU/l). Electromyography suggested myositis and a muscle biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of dermatomyositis. On abdominal computed tomography he was found to have an edematous large bowel, with an appearance suggestive of inflammatory bowel disease. Fecal microscopy and stool cultures were unrevealing. Flexible sigmoidoscopy showed multiple, punctate hemorrhagic lesions (Figure [1]). Biopsies showed a blue fringe along the surface of the colonic epithelium that was suggestive of spirochetosis (with no evidence of cytomegalovirus infection). The patient denied having any occupational contact with animals and he had not been abroad for several years. HIV serology was negative; Borrelia burgdorferi IgG/IgM antibodies and parvovirus B19 IgM antibodies were undetectable.

Zoom Image
Zoom Image

Figure 1 Sigmoidoscopic view of the rectosigmoid region, showing multiple, superficial, punctate mucosal lesions (a), and a close-up view of the same lesions (b).

The patient went on to develop nasal speech and respiratory depression that necessitated the institution of ventilatory support. He was treated with steroids and azathioprine for the dermatomyositis and he made a slow but full recovery after 6 - 7 weeks. Repeat sigmoidoscopy revealed macroscopically normal mucosa despite the persistence of the histological abnormalities (Figure [2]). He remains asymptomatic on follow-up.

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Figure 2 Histological view of a biopsy specimen taken at the repeat sigmoidoscopy, showing colonic mucosa with a fine, violet-blue ”fringe“ (hematoxylin and eosin stain, original magnification × 40).

Colonic spirochetosis is caused by Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria of the Brachyspira genus (B. aalborgi and B. pilosicoli). B. pilosicoli causes disease in both humans and animals; B. aalborgi affects only humans and higher primates [1]. Intestinal spirochetosis is common in developing countries but the prevalence in the Western world is low (approximately 1 %), although it remains high in homosexuals and in HIV-positive patients (30 % - 50 %) [2]. Invasion of spirochetes beyond the surface epithelium is associated with diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and crampy abdominal pains; noninvasive infections are asymptomatic. The diarrhea is usually self-limiting but it is quite common for patients to develop some degree of persistent subclinical infection. Treatment with benzylpenicillin or metronidazole is otherwise effective antimicrobial therapy.

The association of dermatomyositis with spirochetal infection (Borrelia) has already been reported [3]. To the best of authors’ knowledge, Brachyspira-associated dermatomyositis has not been previously described in the English-language literature.

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CCL_1AD_2AZ

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References

  • 1 Smith J L. Colonic spirochetosis in animals and humans.  J Food Prot. 2005;  68 1525-1534
  • 2 Alsaigh N, Fogt F. Intestinal spirochetosis: clinicopathological features with review of the literature.  Colorectal Dis. 2002;  4 97-100
  • 3 Horowitz H W, Sanghera K, Goldberg N. et al . Dermatomyositis associated with Lyme disease: case report and review of Lyme myositis.  Clin Infect Dis. 1994;  18 166-171

A. Koulaouzidis, MRCP

Warrington Hospital

Lovely Lane

Warrington WA5 1QG

United Kingdom

Fax: +44-1925-662042

Email: akoulaouzidis@hotmail.com

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References

  • 1 Smith J L. Colonic spirochetosis in animals and humans.  J Food Prot. 2005;  68 1525-1534
  • 2 Alsaigh N, Fogt F. Intestinal spirochetosis: clinicopathological features with review of the literature.  Colorectal Dis. 2002;  4 97-100
  • 3 Horowitz H W, Sanghera K, Goldberg N. et al . Dermatomyositis associated with Lyme disease: case report and review of Lyme myositis.  Clin Infect Dis. 1994;  18 166-171

A. Koulaouzidis, MRCP

Warrington Hospital

Lovely Lane

Warrington WA5 1QG

United Kingdom

Fax: +44-1925-662042

Email: akoulaouzidis@hotmail.com

Zoom Image
Zoom Image

Figure 1 Sigmoidoscopic view of the rectosigmoid region, showing multiple, superficial, punctate mucosal lesions (a), and a close-up view of the same lesions (b).

Zoom Image

Figure 2 Histological view of a biopsy specimen taken at the repeat sigmoidoscopy, showing colonic mucosa with a fine, violet-blue ”fringe“ (hematoxylin and eosin stain, original magnification × 40).