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Published on: March 11, 2014
Detection of human papillomavirus type 56 in Bowen's disease involving the nail matrix
1Department of Dermatology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan. ashimizu@med.gunma-u.ac.jp
Background:
As Bowen's disease of the nail apparatus is quite rare, there have been only a few reports on the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in this condition.
Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to clarify the association of HPV with this disease involving the nail apparatus.
Methods:
Five patients with Bowen's disease of the nail apparatus were investigated clinically, virologically and histologically. Total DNAs extracted from excised skin lesions were analysed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of HPV DNA and the amplified products were subjected to DNA sequence analyses. Histological localization of HPV DNA was examined by in situ hybridization.
Results:
In three of five patients, HPV was detected by PCR amplification, and subsequent sequence analyses of the PCR products showed the sequences of HPV type 56. A common clinical feature of the three HPV-positive patients was longitudinal melanonychia. In contrast, the two HPV-negative patients presented with a convex nail deformity and a periungual ulcerative lesion. In two of three positive cases, there was a silent point mutation in the L1 gene of each HPV. In the remaining one case, the nucleotide sequence was consistent with the consensus sequence of HPV 56. Sequence analyses of the E6 gene revealed the infection of different variants of HPV 56 among the three cases. The viral genomes were located in keratinocyte nuclei upon in situ hybridization.
Conclusions:
HPV 56 may be involved in the carcinogenesis of Bowen's disease affecting the nail matrix with longitudinal pigmentation.
Insights
Human papillomavirus (HPV) type 56 DNA was detected in three of five patients with Bowen's disease of the nail apparatus. HPV 56 may play a role in nail matrix carcinogenesis, particularly in cases with longitudinal pigmentation.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Virology
Background:
- Bowen's disease of the nail apparatus is a rare condition.
- Limited data exists on human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence in this disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between HPV and Bowen's disease of the nail apparatus.
- To clarify the role of HPV in the pathogenesis of this rare nail condition.
Main Methods:
- Clinical, virological, and histological examination of five patients with Bowen's disease of the nail apparatus.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing to detect and analyze HPV DNA in skin lesions.
- In situ hybridization to determine the histological localization of HPV DNA.
Main Results:
- HPV DNA was detected in three out of five patients using PCR; sequencing identified HPV type 56.
- HPV-positive patients commonly presented with longitudinal melanonychia.
- HPV DNA was localized to keratinocyte nuclei, with variations in HPV 56 sequences observed.
Conclusions:
- Human papillomavirus type 56 is implicated in the carcinogenesis of Bowen's disease affecting the nail matrix.
- HPV 56 may be a contributing factor in nail matrix tumors presenting with longitudinal pigmentation.
