A case of atypical orf virus infection of the hand in an immunocompromised patient.
Malwina Kaniewska, Lingxin Zhang, Elan Hahn et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
An immunocompromised post-transplant patient presented with an enlarging exophytic mass on the hand, diagnosed as atypical orf virus infection. Unlike typical cases, this infection manifested as a persistent tumor-like lesion rather than a self-limited cutaneous lesion. Imaging revealed well-circumscribed nodules with peripheral enhancement, and histopathology showed epidermal hyperplasia with eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. The case underscores the importance of recognizing atypical presentations in immunocompromised individuals.
What made this case unusual
The case highlights an atypical presentation of orf virus infection as a giant, persistent, tumor-like lesion in an immunocompromised patient, contrasting with the typical self-limited lesions seen in immunocompetent individuals.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should be aware that atypical orf virus infections in immunocompromised patients can mimic malignant tumors, necessitating careful evaluation of imaging and histopathological findings.
Why it matters
Recognizing the radiology-pathology correlation in atypical orf infections can prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary interventions, improving patient management in similar cases.