Ann Dermatol.  2017 Apr;29(2):223-225. 10.5021/ad.2017.29.2.223.

Morgellons Disease

• Ohn J
• Park SY
• Moon J
• Choe YS
• Kim KH

• KMID: 2394849
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2017.29.2.223

Abstract

Morgellons disease is a rare disease with unknown etiology. Herein, we report the first case of Morgellons disease in Korea. A 30-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of pruritic erythematous patches and erosions on the arms, hands, and chin. She insisted that she had fiber-like materials under her skin, which she had observed through a magnifying device. We performed skin biopsy, and observed a fiber extruding from the dermal side of the specimen. Histopathological examination showed only mild lymphocytic infiltration, and failed to reveal evidence of any microorganism. The polymerase chain reaction for Borrelia burgdorferi was negative in her serum.

Keyword

Asian continental ancestry group; Borrelia burgdorferi; Morgellons disease

MeSH Terms

Adult
Arm
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Biopsy
Borrelia burgdorferi
Chin
Female
Hand
Humans
Korea
Morgellons Disease*
Nerve Fibers, Myelinated
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Rare Diseases
Skin

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Photographs taken by the patient with a magnifying device (×200): black, brown, and red fibers were tangled on the erosive skin.

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  Fig. 2 Erythematous patch and macules on the palm, hand dorsum, and chin.

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  Fig. 3 A single black fiber extruding from the specimen's dermal side.

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  Fig. 4 Histopathology of the specimen. Mild superficial perivascular lymphocytic infiltration without any specific material (H&E, ×100).

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