A case of wild-type rubella-associated cutaneous granuloma in ataxia telangiectasia

Granulomatous skin disease is known to be associated with various primary immunodeficiencies, including ataxia telangiectasia (AT). Recent reports of persistence of live vaccine strain rubella within such cutaneous granulomas have raised concern regarding the safety of vaccination. Here we report a case of cutaneous granuloma in association with AT, demonstrating wild type, rather than vaccine strain rubella. This supports the persistence of rubella as a causative mechanism, but suggests it is not vaccine strain-specific, and thus may impact the decision of those considering not vaccinating this subset of children.

Automated summary

Granulomatous skin disease, associated with primary immunodeficiencies like ataxia telangiectasia, may be caused by wild type rubella rather than vaccine strain rubella. This finding suggests a potential impact on vaccination decisions for this subset of children.