Marked differences in Betapapillomavirus DNA and antibody prevalence between patients with psoriasis and those with atopic dermatitis

P>Background Recent studies revealed that Betapapillomavirus (betaPV) infections are highly prevalent. Skin diseases such as psoriasis, characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation, and atopic dermatitis (AD), dominated by cutaneous inflammation, might have an impact on viral life cycle and immune response induction. Objectives To investigate whether betaPV infection is different in psoriasis and AD. Methods Twenty-seven patients with psoriasis and 17 with AD were included for betaPV genotyping using eyebrow hairs, and for seroresponse determination. Results BetaPV DNA was found significantly more often in patients with psoriasis than in those with AD (100% vs. 81%, P = 0 center dot 022) and the mean number of betaPV types was higher (4 center dot 8 vs. 2 center dot 1 types, P = 0 center dot 002). In contrast, the seroprevalence in patients with AD was significantly higher compared with that in patients with psoriasis (88% vs. 56%, P = 0 center dot 023). Type-specific concordance of serological response to the betaPV type detected in eyebrow hairs was 27% in patients with psoriasis and 47% in those with AD (P = 0 center dot 019). Conclusions We speculate that the condition of the skin and the immunological state of the patients have an important impact on the life cycle of betaPV.