Detection of human papillomavirus type 60 in plantar cysts and verruca plantaris by the in situ hybridization method using digoxigenin labeled probes

Verrucous pilar cysts infected with beta human papillomavirus

Epidermoid cysts with histopathologic features of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection have been previously reported and are commonly termed verrucous cysts. We report a series of eight histopathologically distinct verrucous pilar cysts, distinguished from traditional verrucous epidermoid cysts by trichilemmal keratinization, as well as two verrucous hybrid pilar-epidermoid cysts. These lesions contain characteristic stratified epithelial linings with abrupt transitions to compact eosinophilic keratin, as well as areas of papillomatosis, coarse intracytoplasmic keratohyalin granules, and vacuolar structures suggestive of HPV-induced cytopathic change. HPV-24, a β genus HPV species, was identified by degenerate polymerase chain reaction in DNA extracted from two of the lesions, and the presence of β-HPV E4 protein was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. HPV-60, the HPV species most commonly reported in verrucous epidermoid cysts, was not detected. Verrucous pilar cysts represent histopathologically and potentially etiologically distinct lesions which may be underrecognized.

Simultaneous Human Papillomavirus 6 (HPV 6) -Positive Condyloma Acuminatum, HPV 3l-Positive Bowen's Disease, and Non HPV-Associated Extramammary Paget's Disease Coexisting Within an Area Presenting Clinically as Condyloma Acuminatum

An 83-year-old Japanese man presented with multiple verrucous papules clustering on a plaque located on the frontal aspect of the scrotum. Histologically, there were three distinct epithelial changes compatible with condyloma acuminatum, Bowen's disease, and extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD). By in situ hybridization, the zone of condyloma acuminatum was positive for HPV 6 and well demarcated from HPV 31-positive Bowen's disease. EMPD was negative for targeted HPV 6/11/16/18/31/33 probes. Immunohistochemically, Paget's cells expressing cytokeratin 7 were distributed as scattered single cells or clusters mainly in the lower part of the HPV 6/31-positive epithelium. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of the occurrence of condyloma acuminatum, Bowen's disease, and EMPD within the same lesion.

Association of human papillomavirus infection with palmoplantar epidermal cysts in Korean patients

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can develop into many different kinds of diseases ranging from simple warts to carcinoma in situ. Some investigators have recently suggested that HPV infection could be closely related to palmoplantar epidermal cysts. The aim of this study was to determine the existence of HPV and its subtype in palmoplantar epidermal cysts of Korean patients. We investigated 13 cases of palmoplantar epidermal cysts by employing clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. In addition, PCR was performed using HPV 57 and 60 type primers. Four of the 13 cases (30.8%) showed the distinct histopathological features of palmoplantar epidermal cysts such as parakeratosis, vacuolar structures and eosinophilic inclusion bodies and these 4 cases showed positive immunohistochemical staining reactions for HPV. PCR for HPV detected type 60-positive bands in 5 of the 13 cases (38.5%), which included the 4 cases that were positive for immunohistochemical staining. These results show that HPV is associated with some cases of palmoplantar epidermal cysts in Korean patients, suggesting that HPV may play a role in the pathogenesis of these cysts.

Human papillomavirus-associated plantar epidermoid cyst related to epidermoid metaplasia of the eccrine duct epithelium: a combined histological, immunohistochemical, DNA-DNA in situ hybridization and three-dimensional reconstruction analysis

BACKGROUND

We recently proposed that certain palmoplantar epidermoid cysts may be related to eccrine ducts and that human papillomavirus (HPV) 60 may play a role in their pathomechanism. However, the origin of palmoplantar epidermoid cysts is still controversial.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the contribution of eccrine ducts and HPV 60 in the development of epidermoid cysts.

METHODS

Five epidermoid cysts and four ridged warts that had developed on the soles of a patient were studied histologically, immunohistochemically and by DNA-DNA in situ hybridization. Using serial sections obtained from its entire body, a three-dimensional reconstruction (3DR) analysis was performed on the smallest cyst to analyse the relationship between the epidermoid cyst, eccrine duct and the overlying epidermis.

RESULTS

Histological and DNA-DNA in situ hybridization analyses demonstrated both homogeneous intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies pathognomonic for HPV 60 infection and HPV 60 DNA sequences not only in all of the epidermoid cysts and ridged warts but also in the acrosyringeal portion of an eccrine duct, with the dermal portion of which the smallest cyst had been revealed to connect by 3DR analysis. However, immunohistochemical analyses using antibodies against human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), involucrin and several cytokeratins (CKs) revealed that the immunoreactivity of the cyst was not identical to that of the eccrine dermal duct but was identical to that of suprabasal layers of the epidermis.

CONCLUSIONS

It was clearly demonstrated that an HPV 60-associated epidermoid cyst with immunoreactivities for CEA, involucrin and CKs which were identical to those of the epidermis connected with the eccrine dermal duct, supporting the idea that certain palmoplantar epidermoid cysts may develop following the epidermoid metaplasia of eccrine ducts with HPV 60 infection.

Presence of papillomavirus sequences in condylomatous lesions of the mamillae and in invasive carcinoma of the breast

BACKGROUND

Viruses including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a human equivalent of murine mammary tumour virus (MMTV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) have been implicated in the aetiology of human breast cancer. We report the presence of HPV DNA sequences in areolar tissue and tumour tissue samples from female patients with breast carcinoma. The presence of virus in the areolar-nipple complex suggests to us a potential pathogenic mechanism.

METHODS

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was undertaken to amplify HPV types in areolar and tumour tissue from breast cancer cases. In situ hybridisation supported the PCR findings and localised the virus in nipple, areolar and tumour tissue.

RESULTS

Papillomavirus DNA was present in 25 of 29 samples of breast carcinoma and in 20 of 29 samples from the corresponding mamilla. The most prevalent type in both carcinomas and nipples was HPV 11, followed by HPV 6. Other types detected were HPV 16, 23, 27 and 57 (nipples and carcinomas), HPV 20, 21, 32, 37, 38, 66 and GA3-1 (nipples only) and HPV 3, 15, 24, 87 and DL473 (carcinomas only). Multiple types were demonstrated in seven carcinomas and ten nipple samples.

CONCLUSIONS

The data demonstrate the occurrence of HPV in nipple and areolar tissues in patients with breast carcinoma. The authors postulate a retrograde ductular pattern of viral spread that may have pathogenic significance.

Recurrent 'sterile' verrucous cyst abscesses and epidermodysplasia verruciformis-like eruption associated with idiopathic CD4 lymphopenia

Rupture of follicular (epidermoid) cysts is believed to be the consequence of bacterial infection. We report a 24-year-old man with idiopathic CD4 lymphopenia and chronic Mycobacterium avium intracellulare infection who developed multiple, recurring painful abscesses over the distal extremities that increased in number and severity when systemic steroid and interferon-gamma treatment was instituted for interstitial lung disease. Cultures were consistently negative for microorganisms, but pathological examination revealed ruptured epidermoid cyst walls with human papillomavirus (HPV) viropathic changes (keratinocytes with perinuclear halos and abundant basophilic keratohyaline granules). Cutaneous examination showed numerous, widespread flat-topped papules and achromic macules over the extremities, head and neck. Nested polymerase chain reaction analysis for HPV DNA revealed that the abscess-related cyst walls harboured epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV)-associated HPV types 20, 24, alb-7 (AY013872) and 80. His cutaneous lesions harboured HPV types 3, 8 and 80. Similar to past reports, our patient developed an EV-like eruption in the setting of immunodeficiency. In this instance, EV-associated HPV infection of the follicular infundibular epithelium or pre-existing cysts in the setting of immunodeficiency may have led to cystic growth, rupture and subsequent painful inflammation.

Human papillomavirus 57 identified in a plantar epidermoid cyst

We report a 23-year-old Japanese man who had plantar warts on the right sole, beneath one of which an epidermoid cyst developed. On microscopic examination, an acanthotic epidermis markedly invaginated into the underlying dermis, resulting in an open epidermoid cyst. Not only the polymerase chain reaction but also an in situ hybridization detected HPV 57 DNA in the cyst. HPV 60 is the only type of HPV that has been identified in epidermoid cysts. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of an epidermoid cyst, in which a different type of virus from HPV 60 was identified. Histological features of the cyst were also different those of HPV 60-associated epidermoid cysts.