Abstract

Rubella virus (RuV) has been detected in lesional skin biopsies of cutaneous granulomatous disease in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Although vaccine-derived rubella virus related to the vaccine strain RA27/3 has been identified, wild-type RuV has also been reported. This study aimed to further categorize the histopathologic features observed to RuV associated cutaneous granulomatous disease. Skin biopsy specimens of patients with atypical granulomatous disease from multiple institutions were obtained and sent to CDC for immunohistochemical staining for RuV. The histopathologic features of each case were examined to identify common patterns that could be helpful in creating diagnostic criteria for rubella-associated granulomatous dermatitis.