Is pyogenic granuloma associated with Bartonella infection?

Lobular capillary hemangioma and bacillary angiomatosis due to Bartonella infection share several clinical and histopathologic characteristics. We sought to determine whether lobular capillary hemangioma is caused by the same agent as bacillary angiomatosis. Forty-five pathology specimens with a histologic diagnosis of lobular capillary hemangioma obtained from patients with the same clinical diagnosis were tested by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction for the presence of DNA elements of Bartonella spp. None of the 45 lobular capillary hemangioma specimens tested positive for Bartonella spp. We conclude that lobular capillary hemangioma is not associated with Bartonella spp infection. Further research is required to determine the etiologic agent.