Dermatopathology Flashcards
Lesions with viral skin/mucosa infections
They are frequently transient, resolving on their own without therapy
Cutaneous viral infections are of greates concern in
Immunosuppressive individuals, as viral reactivation/dissemination can lead yo significant morbidity and mortality
-HIV, steroid use, organ transplant patient
Latency of viral skin infections
Many remain latent and can reactivate or not. Can still shed viral particles and not know it
Symptoms of molluscum contagiosum
- Frequently asymptomatic
- umbilicated papules with pearly/waxy appearance, usually in clusters
What is the classical patten of molloscum contagiosum if there are symptoms
Umbilicated papules, with pearly/waxy appearance
-solid lesion, elevated with sunken centers
Why does molluscum contagiosum usually occur in clusters?
Because it spreads easy
Autoinnoculation
-usually in a Lila, anogenital folds, popliteal fossa
Epidemiology of molluscum contagiosum
- children
- sexually active
- males >females
What family of virus is molluscum contagiosum
Poxvirus family
Sign of healing in molluscum contagiosum
Erythema (redness) around lesions
Primary concern with molluscum contagiosum
- disfigurement (hyperpigmentation)
- transmission to sexual partners
Why is there hyperpigmentation when viral skin infections are healing
Constant inflammation, deposits melanin.
How long does molluscum contagiosum last
Self-limiting: body usually clears infection in 6 months (unless immunosuppressed)
Molluscum contagiosum in immunosuppressed patients
Diffuse lesions common
May appear in the conjunctiva, producing a unilateral conjunctivitis
Treatment for molluscum contagiosum
- cryosurgery
- curettage
- electrodessication
- topical antiviral
Do we always treat everyone who has molluscum contagiosum?
No, usually only in immunosuppressed
Were can you see HPV
Everywhere
What does HPV cause
- subclinical infection (many dont know they have it)
- clinical lesions
- pre-malignant lesions, leading to some cancers
How many types of HPV are there ?
>150 Common warts Plantar warts Flat warts Conjunctival papilloma Genital warts Carcinoma in situ (CIS) lesions and squamous cell carcinoma
Who is more likely to get verruca vulgaris
Very common esp amount school age children
Resolution of verruca vulgaris
Tend to resolve spontaneously, except in many adults and immunocompromised
How is verruca vulgaris transmitted
Skin to skin transmission, virus infects keratinocytes
Not dependent on fluid
Where are verrucae confined to
Epidermis, no “root” or “mother wart”
What is pathognomonic for warts
Black dots
-not in all warts, but can help distinguish from callus
clinical presentation of verrucae
- black dots
- absence of fingerprint lines
Predisposing factors in verrucae
Impaired immunity (HIV infection, transplant recipients, chemo)
Pregnancy
Occupation: handling raw meat and fish
Verrucae morphology
Infected keratinocytes-epidermal hyperplasia
Hyperkeratosis
Produces papules with plaque like coverings
What types of HPV clause conjunctival papilloma
6 and 11
- most often in fornix or palpebral conjunctica
- pedunculated (not flat, very raised, sometimes on a stalk)
How is herpes simplex classically presented
As grouped vesicles with erythematous base
What are most HSV infections?
Atypical
- subclinical lesions; or erosions, fissures
- instead of classically presented grouped vesicles with erythematous base