Verrucous lesions secondary to DNA viruses in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus in association with increased factor XIIIa-positive dermal dendritic cells. The Military Medical Consortium of Applied Retroviral Research Washington, D.C.

BACKGROUND: Hyperkeratotic lesions caused by varicella-zoster, herpes simplex, or cytomegalovirus occur in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). We have also observed this type of lesion with molluscum contagiosum.
OBJECTIVES: These cases were studied to determine whether there are any pathologic changes unique to these lesions.
METHODS: The cases were studied by routine microscopic examination and immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS: Each case showed changes diagnostic of the viral infection, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical stains for herpes simplex and cytomegalovirus. In the dermis there were fewer inflammatory cells than expected, but there was an increase in factor XIIIa-positive dendritic cells.
CONCLUSION: Varicella-zoster, herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and molluscum contagiosum can cause verrucous lesions in HIV-1-infected patients. These lesions may be related to an increase in factor XIIIa-positive dendritic cells.