Efflorescence of acquired epidermodysplasia verruciformis due to immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome-like mechanisms following anti-HPV vaccination in a HIV-positive patient

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is a rare cutaneous pre-cancerous condition characterized by presence of flat, scaly macules, verruca-like papillomatous papules, seborrheic keratosis-like lesions, and pink-red pityriasis versicolor-like macules. The disease is caused by abnormal susceptibility to certain specific beta-HPV subtypes, most commonly 5 and 8. Classic EV is genetically determined, but in immunocompromised individuals, an acquired form can occur. Only 48 cases of acquired EV (AEV) in people living with HIV have been described. We describe a case of AEV in a 36-year-old HIV-positive man with an history of stable optimal CD4 cell count and undetectable HIV viral load. The AEV significantly deteriorated after the administration of the second dose of the quadrivalent anti-HPV vaccine and did not improve despite local treatment, anti-HPV vaccination completion, and persistently optimal combined antiretroviral treatment adherence. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an AEV deterioration with a clinical and temporal pattern mimicking an immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) following anti-HPV vaccination, instead of low CD4 count restoration. After reviewing the current literature, we have hypothesized a vaccine-mediated IRIS-like phenomenon in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Identification and Splicing Characterization of Novel TMC6 and TMC8 Variants Associated With Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis in Three Chinese Families

Background: Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is a rare genodermatosis characterized by abnormal susceptibility to human beta papillomavirus infections and a particular propensity to develop non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs). The majority of EV cases are caused by biallelic null variants in TMC6, TMC8, and CIB1. This study aimed to identify disease-causing variants in three Chinese families with EV and to elucidate their molecular pathogenesis.Methods: Genomic DNA from the probands of three EV families was analyzed by whole-exome sequencing (WES). cDNA sequencing was performed to investigate abnormal splicing of the variants. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was conducted to quantify the mRNA expression of mutant TMC6 and TMC8.Results: Whole-exome sequencing identified two novel homozygous variants (c.2278-2A > G in TMC6 and c.559G > A in TMC8) in families 1 and 2, respectively. In family 3, WES revealed a recurrent and a novel compound heterozygous variant, c.559G > A and c.1389G > A, in TMC8. The c.2278-2A > G TMC6 variant led to the skipping of exon 19 and resulted in premature termination at codon 776. Subsequent qRT-PCR revealed that the aberrantly spliced transcript was partly degraded. Notably, the TMC8 c.559G > A variant created a novel acceptor splice site at c.561 and yielded three different aberrant transcripts. qRT-PCR revealed that most of the mutant transcripts were degraded via nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD).Conclusion: We identified three novel disease-causing variants in TMC6 or TMC8 in three Chinese families with EV. The EV phenotypes of the three patients were due to a reduction in TMC6 or TMC8. Our findings expand the genetic causes of EV in the Chinese population.

Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis: A Case Report and a Brief Review

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis is an uncommon disorder that is transmitted in an autosomal recessive manner. It is characterized by increased susceptibility to human papillomavirus infection, which presents with hypo- or hyperpigmented macular lesions, pityriasis versicolor-like lesions, and an early tendency to transform into skin cancer. We present a case of a 40-year-old male with complaints of verrucous lesions of the hands and feet. Histopathology was suggestive of EV.