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,^[1] 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.

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  Epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.^[2]
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  Epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.^[2]
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  Epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.^[2]
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  Epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.^[2]
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  Epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.^[2]

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  Epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.^[2]

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  Epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.^[2]

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^[3] and Romanian press sources.^[4] Dr. Curea works out of Spitalului Clinic Colentina in Bucharest, Romania.^[5] Stephen Stone, past president of the American Academy of Dermatology, confirms this is Lewandowsky-Lutz.^[6]

• 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.

• 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

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