Epidermodysplasia verruciformis associated with Bowen's carcinoma, B lymphocytopenia and decreased immune functions

A case of epidermodysplasia verruciformis associated with Bowen's carcinoma, persistent B lymphocytopenia and decreased immune functions is reported. Human papilloma virus 5 (HPV-5) DNA was shown to be associated with the DNA from the tumor tissue by Southern blot hybridization using P-labeled HPV DNA sequences cloned on plasmid vectors. The associated Bowen's carcinoma in our case may be caused by multiple-factor relationships which include (a) an oncogenic potential of infected virus; (b) an inherited abnormality in immune function, and (c) the decreased immune function resulting from the viral infection itself. A marked B lymphocytopenia appears to be associated with persistent viral infection.