Verrucous lesions secondary to DNA viruses in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus in association with increased factor XIIIa-positive dermal dendritic cells. The Military Medical Consortium of Applied Retroviral Research Washington, D.C.
BACKGROUND
Hyperkeratotic lesions caused by varicella-zoster, herpes simplex, or cytomegalovirus occur in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). We have also observed this type of lesion with molluscum contagiosum.


OBJECTIVE
These cases were studied to determine whether there are any pathologic changes unique to these lesions.


METHODS
The cases were studied by routine microscopic examination and immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Each case showed changes diagnostic of the viral infection, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical stains for herpes simplex and cytomegalovirus. In the dermis there were fewer inflammatory cells than expected, but there was an increase in factor XIIIa-positive dendritic cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Varicella-zoster, herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and molluscum contagiosum can cause verrucous lesions in HIV-1-infected patients. These lesions may be related to an increase in factor XIIIa-positive dendritic cells.
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
K J
KJ
Smith
H G
HG
Skelton
D M
DM
Frissman
P
P
Angritt
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000737:chemistry*; D015497:HIV-1; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D017193:Skin Diseases, Viral / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000032:analysis*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D014860:Warts / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D007378:Interleukins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D011503:Transglutaminases; D000212:Acyclovir