BACKGROUND - Keratoacanthoma is a benign cutaneous neoplasm that preferentially affects fair skin individuals of older age groups and involves sun-exposed areas. Apart from ultraviolet radiation exposure, its etiology is related to several carcinogens, including human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of HPV DNA and its genotypes in solitary keratoacanthoma lesions of immunocompetent patients. Methods: Keratoacanthoma lesions of patients with no evidence of immunological involvement, excised from 1996 to 2000, at a university hospital, were assessed. Histological aspects, deparafinization and DNA extraction of these lesions were evaluated. The specimens positive for HPV DNA were submitted to gene sequencing to determine the genotype. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were studied, mean age of 64.5±13.8 years. Both sexes were similarly affected, and the most common sites were upper limbs (50%) and face (27.6%). HPV DNA was detected in 48 (82.7%) keratoacanthoma fragments, and the genotypes 6, 11 and 16 were the most prevalent. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of HPV DNA in solitary keratoacanthoma lesions may suggest viral participation in its oncogenesis.
Keratoacanthoma; Papillomavirus; Polymerase chain reaction; Sequence analysis with oligonucleotid series
