Keratoacanthomas: human papillomavirus and herpes simplex virus associated?

Background: A viral cause for keratoacanthoma has been postulated by many investigators. Recently, some investigators reported the identification of genital high risk human papilloma virus types 16 and 18 in keratoacanthomas from transplant recipients. Observations: We analysed by polymerase chain reaction biopsies of six multiple keratoacanthomas and four solitary keratoacanthoma biopsies for the presence of the most common genital papilloma viruses. All keratoacanthomas included in the study had developed in skin areas exposed to sunlight. In addition, we analysed 16 normal skin tissue biopsies. Six of these control tissue biopsies were from sun-exposed skin areas, while 10 were from skin areas not exposed to sunlight. None of the patients enrolled in the study had clinical evidence of immunosuppression. As herpes simplex virus is associated to a variety of skin diseases and might co-operate with human papilloma virus in cervical cancer, the presence of this virus in bioptic specimen...