Acquired epidermodysplasia verruciformis or generalized verrucosis? A clinical and virological comparative study

Few articles have described the difference between epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) and generalized verrucosis (GV). This study aimed to analyze the clinical findings and virology of the two diseases. The study enrolled patients diagnosed with EV and GV by clinical and histopathological findings. The demographic information, clinical manifestation, treatment, and therapeutic outcome were analyzed. All of the biopsy specimens of enrolled patients were sent for β-human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA detection. A total of 13 cases were included in the present study, including five EV cases and eight GV cases. Legs and feet were significantly affected in GV cases (p = 0.035). All acquired EV cases had immunocompromised conditions, while only three GV cases could be identified as having an immunocompromised history. All EV cases were detected with β-HPV infection, especially HPV5, but none of the GV cases were found to be infected with β-HPV. The therapeutic response was refractory and often relapsed after discontinuation of treatment in both groups.