Cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia following vaccine for pollen hyposensitization.

Abstract

Cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia is also known as cutaneous lymphocytoma. Cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia belongs to the spectrum of cutaneous pseudolymphomas which are lymphocytic infiltrates with clinical or histological features that mimic cutaneous lymphomas but follow a benign course. Most of these are predominantly composed of B cells.

Cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia is usually idiopathic but sometimes is associated with arthropod bites, scabies, infections (Borrelia burgdorferi is the most commonly identified agent in Europe), drugs, tattoo pigments and vaccine residues. It is more frequent in middle aged Caucasian women (sex ratio F:M 3:1).

Adverse effects of vaccination are usually benign and transient, generally consisting of mild erythema or pain at the site of injection. Less commonly, chronic papules or subcutaneous nodules may appear which have been related to aluminum-adsorbed vaccines. Some rare cases of cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia secondary to hyposensitization vaccines have been reported.