The key difference between Kaposi sarcoma and bacillary angiomatosis is that Kaposi sarcoma is a type of cancer caused by a virus in which cancer cells are found in the skin or mucous membranes that line the gastrointestinal tract, while bacillary angiomatosis is a vascular proliferative lesion caused by gram-negative bacteria that can be seen in liver, lymph nodes, skin, subcutaneous tissue, and bones.
Kaposi sarcoma and bacillary angiomatosis are two conditions that cause angiomatous lesions. They are associated with human immunodeficiency infection and are more frequent in people with AIDS. However, they are different conditions with different aetiologies.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Kaposi Sarcoma
3. What is Bacillary Angiomatosis
4. Similarities – Kaposi Sarcoma vs Bacillary Angiomatosis
5. Kaposi Sarcoma vs Bacillary Angiomatosis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Kaposi Sarcoma vs Bacillary Angiomatosis
What is Kaposi Sarcoma?
Kaposi sarcoma is a cancer in which cancer cells are found in the skin or mucous membranes that line the gastrointestinal tract, including the stomach, intestines, anus, and mouth. These cancer cells usually appear as purple patches or nodules on the skin and mucous membranes. The cancer cells in Kaposi sarcoma can spread to lymph nodes and lungs, as well. This disease is more common in men and people with immunodeficiency. It is caused by a virus called human herpesvirus 8 (Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)). Symptoms of this disease include lesions on the skin, lesions on mucous membranes, lesions inside the body, lymph nodes, restricted breathing, coughing up blood, pain, bleeding, and anemia.
Figure 01: Kaposi Sarcoma
Moreover, Kaposi sarcoma is diagnosed through physical examination, skin biopsy, chest X-ray, bronchoscopy, and endoscopy. Furthermore, treatment options for Kaposi sarcoma may include antiretroviral therapy used for AIDS, decreasing the dosage of immunosuppressant drugs for transplant recipients, local therapies such as injection of chemotherapy directly into lesions, cryosurgery, excisions, phototherapy or local radiation, and immunotherapy.
What is Bacillary Angiomatosis?
Bacillary Angiomatosis is an uncommon disorder. It is also known as epithelioid angiomatosis. It is a disorder characterized by neovascular proliferation in the skin or the internal organs. Bacillary angiomatosis is usually present as tumor-like masses due to infections with gram-negative bacteria such as Bartonella henselae or Bartonella quintana. Therefore, this disorder is also called Bartonella infection. The signs and symptoms of this condition may include papules and nodules that range in size (pinpoint to 10cm), papules that are purple or bright red in color, single lesion or numerous lesions, lesions in any skin or mucosal site but rarely in palms and soles, large subcutaneous tumor-like masses in people with HIV, lesions that are bleeding, and ulcerated or crusted skin surface.
Moreover, bacillary angiomatosis is diagnosed through physical examination, skin biopsy, and PCR test. Treatment options for bacillary angiomatosis may include antibiotics such as erythromycin, doxycycline, trimethoprim, sulphamethoxazole, tetracycline, rifampicin, drainage, supportive therapy (hydration and analgesics), and warm compresses.
What are the Similarities Between Kaposi Sarcoma and Bacillary Angiomatosis?
- Kaposi sarcoma and bacillary angiomatosis are two conditions that cause angiomatous lesions.
- Both conditions are associated with human immunodeficiency infection and are more frequent in people with AIDS.
- They can affect the skin and internal organs.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and skin biopsy.
- They are mainly treated through specific medications and therapies.
What is the Difference Between Kaposi Sarcoma and Bacillary Angiomatosis?
Kaposi sarcoma is a type of cancer caused by a virus in which cancer cells are found in the skin or mucous membranes that line the gastrointestinal tract, while bacillary angiomatosis is a vascular proliferative lesion caused by gram-negative bacteria which can be seen in the liver, lymph nodes, skin, subcutaneous tissue, and bones. Thus, this is the key difference between Kaposi sarcoma and bacillary angiomatosis. Furthermore, Kaposi sarcoma is triggered by a virus called herpesvirus 8 (Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). On the other hand, bacillary angiomatosis is trigged by bacteria such as Bartonella henselae or Bartonella quintana.
The infographic below presents the differences between Kaposi sarcoma and bacillary angiomatosis in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Kaposi Sarcoma vs Bacillary Angiomatosis
Kaposi sarcoma and bacillary angiomatosis are two conditions that cause angiomatous lesions. Both these conditions are usually present in people with human immunodeficiency infection (AIDS). Moreover, these conditions are very hard to differentiate clinically and can affect the skin and internal organs. However, Kaposi sarcoma is caused by a virus, whereas gram-negative bacteria cause bacillary angiomatosis. So, this is the key difference between Kaposi sarcoma and bacillary angiomatosis.
Reference:
1.“Soft Tissue Sarcoma.” Mayo Clinic.
2.“Bacillary Angiomatosis.” Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Kaposis sarcoma 01” By M. Sand, D. Sand, C. Thrandorf, V. Paech, P. Altmeyer, F. G. Bechara – M. Sand, D. Sand, C. Thrandorf, V. Paech, P. Altmeyer, F. G. Bechara: Cutaneous lesions of the nose. In: Head & face medicine Band 6, 2010, S. 7, ISSN 1746-160X. doi:10.1186/1746-160X-6-7. PMID 20525327. (Review). Open Access (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia