Epidermodysplasia verruciformis occurring in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus: a case report

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is an uncommon dermatosis associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in association with defects in cell-mediated immunity. Malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma has been associated with lesions caused by HPV-5, HPV-8, and HPV-14. Clinically, the disease may be confused with verruca plana, seborrheic keratosis, and pityriasis versicolor. We present an unusual case of EV occurring in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive man and discuss the clinical and histologic findings. Clinically, the patient had 1- to 3-mm hypopigmented smooth macules covering the entire body. Histopathologic examination of the skin biopsy results demonstrated enlarged keratinocytes with prominent blue-gray cytoplasm and clumping of keratohyalin granules within the granular layer of the epidermis. Although EV typically is viewed as a disease of childhood, sometimes presenting in patients with a family history of the disease, it rarely may be seen in immunocompromised adults.