Acquired epidermodysplasia verruciformis in an HIV-positive patient

Abstract

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis, or Lutz–Lewandowsky disease, is a rare genodermatosis, usually autosomal recessive, characterized by abnormal susceptibility to infection by certain types of human papillomavirus. There are hereditary and acquired forms. Immunocompromised people, such as HIV-positive patients and kidney transplant recipients, are at risk for acquired epidermodysplasia verruciformis. This pathology poses management problems, and variable responses are observed in different individuals. The prognosis of epidermodysplasia verruciformis is related to the oncogenic potential of certain types of human papillomavirus, inducing carcinomas in sun-exposed areas in 30% to 60% of cases. Tumors grow slowly or sometimes rapidly and are locally destructive. Lesions of epidermodysplasia verruciformis are refractory to conventional wart treatments, yet preventive treatments for complications and symptomatic treatments for lesions may be offered with regular follow-up. Herein, we report a case of acquired epidermodysplasia verruciformis in an HIV-positive patient. Key words: Epidermodysplasia verruciformis, Human papillomavirus, Human immunodeficiency virus, Immunosuppression, Genodermatosis