Hypersensitivity to mosquito bites (HMB) is a rare disease characterized by intense skin reactions such as bulla and necrotic ulcerations at bite sites, accompanied by general symptoms such as high-grade fever and malaise occurred after mosquito bites. It has been suggested that HMB is associated with chronic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and natural killer (NK) cell leukemia/lymphoma. We describe here a Korean child who presented with 3-yr history of HMB without natural killer cell lymphocytosis. He has been ill for 6 yr with HMB. Close observation and examination for the development of lymphoproliferative status or hematologic malignant disorders is needed.
Child ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/complications ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity/*diagnosis/etiology ; Insect Bites and Stings/*diagnosis/pathology ; Killer Cells, Natural/immunology ; Lymphocytosis/complications/pathology ; Male ; Republic of Korea ; Skin/pathology

Hypersensitivity to mosquito bites (HMB) is a disorder characterized by a necrotic skin reaction and generalized symptoms subsequent to mosquito bites. It has been suggested that HMB is associated with chronic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and natural killer cell leukemia/lymphoma. We describe here a Korean child who had HMB associated with chronic EBV infection and natural killer cell lymphocytosis. A 5-yr-old boy was suffered from necrotic skin lesions on the right ear lobe. Type A EB virus was detected from hlood cells and bone marrow biospy recognized hemophagocyrosis.
Animals ; Child, Preschool ; Culicidae/*immunology ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/complications/*diagnosis ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/genetics/isolation & purification ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity/complications/*diagnosis ; Insect Bites and Stings/complications/*immunology ; Killer Cells, Natural/immunology/*pathology ; Lymphocytosis/complications/*diagnosis ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

Hypersensitivity to mosquito bites (HMB) is characterized by intense skin reactions at bite sites. The pathogenesis of HMB might be related to clonal lymphoproliferation of Epstein-Barr virus DNA-positive natural killer (NK) cells. We report the first case of HMB possibly associated with NK cell-derived large granular lymphocyte (NK-LGL) lymphocytosis in Korea.
Adult ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; *Culicidae ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/*complications/diagnosis ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity/*etiology/virology ; Insect Bites and Stings/*complications/immunology ; Killer Cells, Natural/*immunology/pathology ; Korea ; Lymphocytosis/*complications/pathology ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prognosis ; Risk Assessment