Cutaneous malakoplakia: Interesting case report and review of literature

Malacoplakia of the skin: overview of a rare clinical entity

“…However, it is believed to be secondary to a defect of the bactericidal capacity of macrophages after endocytosis [3,10]. Inadequate microtubular function and phagolysosomal activity is related to deficiencies of beta-glucuronidase and intracellular cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and leads to accumulation of partially digested bacteria in monocytes or macrophages [9,11]. The pathognomonic Michaelis-Gutman bodies are believed to represent the subsequent deposition of calcium and iron on non-exocytosed phagolysosomes [2,10].…”

“…In this setting of immunodeficiency, as many as 90% of patients have coliform bacteria detected in blood, urine or tissue, suggesting an opportunistic bacterial infection as the central event [3,12]. The most commonly involved microorganisms include Escherichia coli (more than 2/3 of cases), Klebsiella, Proteus [2,9], Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella, Rhodococcus equi and Enterococcus spp [3,9]. Malacoplakia with negative culture results have also been reported, but is presumably secondary to antibiotic therapy administration prior to diagnosis [5].…”

“…Cutaneous malacoplakia tends to occur in an older age group, most commonly affecting the age group of sixth to seventh decade, with the median age at the time of presentation being 53 years [2,9]. Pediatric cases are exceptionally rare [3,13].…”

“…Dermatology Online Journal || Review most commonly occurs in the anogenital region [3,8]. Since its initial description, only 52 cases of primary cutaneous malacoplakia have been reported in the literature [9].…”

A Compendium of Specific Histopathological Bodies in Dermatology

“…They are considered pathognomonic for malakoplakia and are thought to represent the abnormal degradation of bacteria, with calcium and iron deposited on the remaining glycolipids. [ 36 ] Miyagawa bodies/corpuscles: Elementary, intracytoplasmic microcolonies of Chlamydia trachomatis found in lymphogranuloma venereum. [ 37 ] Odland/lamellar bodies: Also known as membrane coating granules, of size 100-300 nm in diameter and are found within the cytoplasm of cells of the upper spinous layer and granular cell layer.…”