HPV-57 Verruca Vulgaris Mimicking Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the causative agent for a variety of cutaneous lesions including verruca vulgaris (VV) and epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EDV). There are more than 200 known genotypes of HPV, and specific HPV types are associated with different clinical manifestations and malignant potentials. Herein, we describe a case of a 43-year-old immunocompetent woman who presented with morphologically distinct lesions that were most consistent with EDV on clinical examination. However, further histopathological and viral analysis confirmed the lesions as HPV-57-positive VV. The risk of malignant transformation, and therefore treatment and surveillance, is dramatically different in VV versus EDV. Therefore, this case highlights the importance of a proper histopathological diagnosis with HPV viral testing when clinical presentations may vary or mimic other diseases.

Automated summary

This case report highlights the importance of proper histopathological diagnosis and HPV viral testing when clinical presentations may vary or mimic other diseases. In this case, the patient presented with morphologically distinct lesions consistent with epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EDV), but further analysis confirmed the lesions as HPV-57-positive verruca vulgaris (VV).