Detection of Human Papillomavirus in Palmoplantar Epidermal Cysts / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although traumatic implantation of epidermis into the dermis has been suggested as a possible mechanism of formation of palmoplantar epidermal cysts, most cases develop without a trauma history. Recently, human papillomavirus (HPV) was detected in palmoplantar epidermal cysts in some reports. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to find out the presence of HPV in palmoplantar epidermal Cysts. METHODS: Seven cases of palmoplantar epidermal cysts were studied using clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical examinations. They were also examined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method with general primers and HPV 60 type specific primers. RESULTS: On histological examination, all three characteristic findings, that is, intracytoplasmic eosinophilic bodies in the cyst wall, parakeratosis within the cyst cavity, and the vacuolar structures, were not observed. Immnunohistochemical staining was negative for the papillomavirus common antigen. HPV DNA was not detected in these cases by PCR. CONCLUSION: We could not detect any evidence of HPV infection in our cases of palmoplantar epidermal cysts. It is suggested that either our cases could have developed through a different pathogenesis or our study was done after the disappearance of HPV.