Two cases of plantar epidermal cyst associated with human papillomavirus

HPV-associated epidermal cysts of the sole (HAECS) of the foot have been reported recently in Japan in which there is positive staining for papillomavirus antibody in the nuclei of the epithelial cells in the cyst wall and vacuoles in the stratified horny material inside the cysts. A causative association with a newly recognized HPV, HPV 60, has been recorded. The authors report two new cases. The possible mechanism of cyst formation in HPV 60-infected epithelium is discussed.