Epidermodysplasia verruciformis

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis
OMIM	226400 305350
DiseasesDB	31394
eMedicine	derm/123

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kiran Singh, M.D. [2]

Overview

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (also called Lewandowsky-Lulz dysplasia or Lulz-Lewandowsky epidermodysplasia verruciformis) is an extremely rare skin disease characterized by the growth of scaly macules and papules, particularly on the hands. Named after doctors Felix Lewandowsky and Wilhelm Lulz, the condition usually begins in childhood and has no known cure.

It is believed to be caused by the human papillomavirus and is most strongly associated with strains 5 and 8, although others may also contribute. Genetic predisposition is also thought to partly explain why the disease is so rare, as EV papillomaviruses are often found (15-20%) in normal skin with no increased incidence of cancer.

Diagnosis

Physical Examination

Skin

Neck

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  Epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.

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  Epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.

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  Epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.

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  Epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.

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  Epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.

Axillae

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  Epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.

Trunk

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  Epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.

Notable cases

In March 2007, a Romanian man was diagnosed with this condition. The man, patient of dermatologist Dr. Carmen Madeleine Curea, quickly became an internet meme, his pictures appearing on numerous blogs and Romanian press sources. Dr. Curea works out of Spitalului Clinic Colentina in Bucharest, Romania. Stephen Stone, past president of the American Academy of Dermatology, confirms this is Lewandowsky-Lutz.

Further reading

• H. Sadakane, Y. Yabe. The Virus of Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis: Electron Microscopic and Fluorescent Antibody Studies. Journal of Investigative Dermatology (1975) 65, 324–330 [3]
• F. Lewandowsky, W. Lulz. Ein Fall einer bisher noch nicht beschriebener Hauterkrankung (Epidermodysplasia verruciformis). Archiv für Dermatologie und Syphilis (1922) 141, 193-202.

External links

• Who Named It?
• The Doctor's Doctor
• Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology
• IDR factfile
• DermIS

• Romanian case
  • Missionary encounters extremely bizarre skin condition in Eastern Europe
  • [4]

nl:Lewandowsky-Lutz dysplasie