Identification of human papillomavirus in keratoacanthomas.
BACKGROUND
Keratoacanthomas are benign, clinically distinct skin tumors that may infiltrate and show cellular atypia. A viral etiology has been suggested, and the aim was to search for human papillomavirus (HPV) in keratoacanthomas.


METHODS
From 21 immunosuppressed organ transplant recipients and 11 non-immunosuppressed patients, 72 fresh biopsies with diagnosis of keratoacanthomas were analyzed. For detection of cutaneous and genital HPV DNA, single-tube nested "hanging droplet" polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and another PCR (GP5+ and 6+) were used, respectively.


RESULTS
Among 21 immunosuppressed patients, 71% (15/21) harbored HPV DNA at least in one sample. Of the keratoacanthoma lesions, 55% (33/60) were HPV DNA positive. Fourteen samples from eight immunosuppressed patients contained HPV types 5, 9, 10, 14, 19, 20, 21, 38, 49, 80, putative HPV types as HPVvs20-4, HPVvs75, and HPVvs92 and FA16.1, FA23.2, FA37, FA75, and FA81. Among 11 non-immunosuppressed patients, 36% (4/11) harbored HPV DNA at least in one sample, and 33% (4/12) of their keratoacanthomas were HPV DNA positive. In total, HPV DNA was detected in 51% (37/72) of the keratoacanthomas.


CONCLUSIONS
By the use of PCR, cutaneous HPV DNA was detected in 51% (37/72) of the keratoacanthomas. No predominating HPV type or genital HPV type was identified. The role of HPV in keratoacanthomas remains thus elusive.
Forslund
Ola
O
Department of Medical Microbiology, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, SE-20502 Malmo, Sweden. ola.forslund@mikrobiol.mas.lu.se
DeAngelis
Paula M
PM
Beigi
Marzieh
M
Schjølberg
Aasa R
AR
Clausen
Ole Petter F
OP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007636:Keratoacanthoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*
D004279:DNA, Viral