Dermatology Online Journal

Porokeratoses are acquired and hereditary disorders of keratinization that share a distinctive lesion characterized by raised keratotic borders corresponding histologically to an angled column of parakeratotic cells, called a cornoid lamella. Although a precise mechanistic explanation is lacking, ultraviolet radiation and immunosuppressed states are considered causally-associated with most cases of acquired porokeratosis. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been proposed as a link between the immunosuppressed states and development of acquired porokeratosis. Among the various recognized clinical entities that constitute this group, rare cases of hyperkeratotic variants have been described that may pose a diagnostic challenge. Herein we describe a remarkable case of the hyperkeratotic variant of porokeratosis that occurred in a patient with known HIV and HCV infections and a coexisting therapy-related immunosuppressed state. We also provide a review of the relevant literature.