Published online Jul 21, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i27.8467
Peer-review started: January 22, 2015
First decision: February 10, 2015
Revised: February 25, 2015
Accepted: April 17, 2015
Article in press: April 17, 2015
Published online: July 21, 2015
Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (PIL) is a rare protein-losing enteropathy with lymphatic leakage into the small intestine. Dilated lymphatics in the small intestinal wall and mesentery are observed in this disease. Laboratory tests of PIL patients revealed hypoalbuminemia, lymphocytopenia, hypogammaglobulinemia and increased stool α-1 antitrypsin clearance. Cell-mediated immunodeficiency is also present in PIL patients because of loss of lymphocytes. As a result, the patients are vulnerable to chronic viral infection and lymphoma. However, cases of PIL with chronic viral infection, such as human papilloma virus-induced warts, are rarely reported. We report a rare case of PIL with generalized warts in a 36-year-old male patient. PIL was diagnosed by capsule endoscopy and colonoscopic biopsy with histological tissue confirmation. Generalized warts were observed on the head, chest, abdomen, back, anus, and upper and lower extremities, including the hands and feet of the patient.
Core tip: Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (PIL) patients are associated with cell-mediated immunodeficiency. Therefore, PIL patients are vulnerable to viral infection. However, PIL with warts caused by human papilloma virus is very rare. We report a rare case of PIL with generalized warts.