No Association between Merkel Cell Polymavirus Infection and Keratoacanthoma in Korean Patients

OBJECTIVES: Keratoacanthoma (KA) is a relatively common benign tumor and resembles squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The definitive cause of KA remains unclear, but trauma, ultraviolet light, chemical carcinogens, human papillomavirus, genetic factors, and immunocompromised status have been implicated as etiologic or triggering factors. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is suspected to cause the majority of cases of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). MCPyV-DNA was found significantly more frequently in MCC and only found in about one fourth of KAs. In a recent study, MCPyV was found in Korean patients with MCC. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of MCPyV in Korean patients with KA. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded tissue samples were analyzed for the presence of MCPyV-DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 105 KA samples were analyzed. RESULTS: A study of MCPyV has not been reported about KA in Korean cases. In the present study the MCPyV was not detected with KA in the Korean patients. CONCLUSIONS: This supports that KA and MCPyV are not related to each other and MCVyP is not a major factor in the pathogenesis of KA.