Abstract
Morgellons disease is a rare condition characterized by patient-reported multicolored
fibers and other nonorganic particles or organic particles embedded in and protruding
from diffuse skin ulcerations. Although the scientific community is prone to believe
that Morgellons disease is a psychiatric disorder, an infectious pathogenesis associated
with Borrelia burgdorferi in the setting of Lyme disease has also been proposed. The histopathology is usually
considered as nonspecific. To illustrate this condition, we present the case of an
adult woman with significant ulcerative skin lesions and cicatricial changes on the
face, trunk, and arms. After multiple biopsies and successful microscopic visualization
of the fibers, she received a diagnosis of Morgellons disease in the setting of delusional
infestation. No evidence of Borrelia infection was found. Treatment with antipsychotics
was initiated, but the patient was lost to follow-up, as is often the case with patients
with Morgellons disease.
To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
Purchase one-time access:
Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online accessOne-time access price info
- For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
- For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'
Subscribe:
Subscribe to Clinics in DermatologyAlready a print subscriber? Claim online access
Already an online subscriber? Sign in
Register: Create an account
Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect
References
- Delusional infestation versus Morgellons disease.Clin Dermatol. 2018; 36: 714-718
- Morgellons disease: a manifestation of psychiatric disorder.Ann Dermatol. 2018; 30: 362-363
- Dermatological and genital manifestations of Lyme disease including Morgellons disease.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2021; 14: 425-436
- Sir Thomas Browne and the disease called Morgellons.Ann Med Hist. 1935; 7: 467-479
- Skin lesions and crawling sensation: disease or delusion?.Adv Nurse Pract. 2005; 13: 16-17
- The mystery of Morgellons disease: infection or delusion?.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2006; 7: 1-5
- Morgellons disease: the mystery unfolds.Expert Rev Dermatol. 2007; 2: 585-591
- Filament formation associated with spirochetal infection: a comparative approach to Morgellons disease.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2011; 4: 167-177
- Clinical, epidemiologic, histopathologic and molecular features of an unexplained dermopathy.PLoS One. 2012; 7: e29908
- Morgellons disease: a chemical and light microscopic study.J Clin Exp Dermatol Res. 2012; 3: 140
- Classification and staging of Morgellons disease: lessons from syphilis.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020; 13: 145-164
- Treatment of Morgellons disease with doxycycline.Clin Case Rep. 2021; 9: e05148
- Morgellons disease leading to corneal perforation and enucleation.Can J Ophthalmol. 2019; 54: e285-e288
- Delusional infestation complicated by gangrene and osteomyelitis requiring finger amputation.JAAD Case Rep. 2021; 2: 6-9
- Delusional parasitosis: a dermatologic, psychiatric and pharmacologic approach.J Am Acad Dermatol. 1993; 29: 1023-1033
- Use of antipsychotic drugs in dermatology.Clin Dermatol. 2018; 36: 765-773
Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 26, 2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
