Identification of DNA sequences of both genital and cutaneous HPV types in a small number of keratoacanthomas of nonimmunosuppressed patients.
BACKGROUND
Viral infection was suggested to be etiologically involved in skin tumor development. Data on the association of human papillomavirus (HPV) with keratoacanthomas are still conflicting.


OBJECTIVE
Analysis of HPV infection in keratoacanthomas of the general population.


METHODS
HPV DNA was detected by nested PCR. To include a broad range of both cutaneous and mucosal HPV types, HPV PCR was performed with two sets of degenerate primers.


RESULTS
Considering only beta-globin-positive specimens, HPV DNA was detected in 20% of the specimens obtained from 18% of the patients. The spectrum of HPV types detected contains HPV types 6, 14, 16, 35, 58 and 61. In 1 case, the underlying HPV type was not identified. In 1 specimen with transition towards squamous-cell carcinoma, HPV 16 was detected.


CONCLUSIONS
HPV is probably not generally associated with the etiology of keratoacanthoma but may be relevant in individual cases. Oncogenic HPV types may be cofactors for malignant transformation of initially benign skin lesions like keratoacanthomas.
D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D005835:Genitalia / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007636:Keratoacanthoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012867:Skin / Q000821:virology