Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) Lymphoma of the Colon in a Patient with <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> Infection (Lyme Arthritis)

Abstract

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma generally occurs in the context of chronic inflammation or autoimmune disorders. The most common infections linked to MALT lymphomas include Helicobacter pylori (Hp)associated gastritis, Chlamydophila psittacii and hepatitis C infection. Although Borrelia burgdorferi infection has been linked to primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (PCBCL), there is no known link between Borrelia burgdorferi infection and MALT lymphomas in the US. We report a patient who developed mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the colon in the context of untreated Lyme arthritis, and no other autoimmune disorders or infections known to be associated with MALT lymphoma. We recommend that Lyme disease due to Borrelia burgdorferi be considered as a possible underlying infection potentially contributing to the emergence of extranodal lymphoma.