Virus-associated trichodysplasia spinulosa | UniteRare Disease Library

Overview

Virus-associated trichodysplasia spinulosa (VATS), also known as trichodysplasia spinulosa or pilomatrix dysplasia, is a rare skin disease caused by infection with the trichodysplasia spinulosa-associated polyomavirus (TSPyV). It occurs almost exclusively in immunosuppressed individuals, particularly organ transplant recipients on immunosuppressive therapy, though it has also been reported in patients with hematologic malignancies or those receiving other forms of immunosuppression. The condition primarily affects the skin, especially the face, and is characterized by the development of follicular papules and keratin spicules (spine-like projections) on the nose, eyebrows, ears, and other facial areas. Patients may also experience alopecia of the eyebrows and eyelashes, facial thickening or leonine facies, and widespread spiny papules that can extend to the trunk and extremities. The underlying mechanism involves TSPyV infection of the inner root sheath cells of hair follicles, leading to abnormal proliferation and distorted hair follicle differentiation. Histopathologically, the disease shows enlarged, dysplastic inner root sheath keratinocytes with characteristic eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies. Diagnosis is confirmed through skin biopsy and detection of TSPyV DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Treatment primarily involves reduction of immunosuppression when feasible, which can lead to resolution of the lesions. Topical cidofovir, an antiviral agent, has been used with reported success in several cases. Other treatments that have been tried include oral valganciclovir and topical retinoids. Spontaneous resolution may occur if immune function is restored. Given the rarity of the condition, there are no standardized treatment guidelines, and management is largely based on case reports and small case series.

Also known as:

Cyclosporine-induced folliculodystrophy Pilomatrix dysplasia TS Trichodysplasia spinulosa VATS

Age of Onset

Variable

Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood

Orphanet ↗NORD ↗

FDA & Trial Timeline

10 events

Apr 2026TEAS for Ipsilateral Shoulder Pain After Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Lung Surgery

Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China — NA

TrialNOT YET RECRUITING

Apr 2026Reducing Chronic Pain After Lung Surgery: A Trial of Limiting NSAIDs During Recovery

University Hospital, Strasbourg, France — PHASE3

TrialNOT YET RECRUITING

Mar 2026Post-operative Medium Chain Triglyceride Diet May Reduce Hospital Stay Following Lung Resection

Chinese University of Hong Kong — NA

TrialRECRUITING

Mar 2026Minimum Effective Volume of Bupivacaine for Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Bursa City Hospital — NA

TrialRECRUITING

Mar 2026Ultrasound-Guided Rhomboid-Intercostal Block Versus Thoracic Paravertebral Block for VATS Analgesia

Georgios Kotsovolis — NA

TrialNOT YET RECRUITING

Mar 2026The Efficacy and Safety of Liposomal Bupivacaine for Rhomboid Intercostal Nerve Block in Relieving Postoperative Pain After Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Beijing Tiantan Hospital — NA

TrialRECRUITING

Mar 2026The Efficacy and Safety of Liposomal Bupivacaine in Relieving Postoperative Pain After Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Beijing Tiantan Hospital — NA

TrialRECRUITING

Mar 2026Extended Reality (XR)-Assisted CT Localization of Pulmonary Nodules

National Taiwan University Hospital — NA

TrialNOT YET RECRUITING

Mar 2026Non-intubated Versus Intubated Anesthesia for Thoracoscopic Sublobar Resection

The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University — NA

TrialNOT YET RECRUITING

Feb 2026Safety And Recovery Of Tubeless Strategy In Uniportal VATS Wedge Resection

The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University — NA

TrialNOT YET RECRUITING

Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.

Treatments

No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Virus-associated trichodysplasia spinulosa.

20 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.

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Clinical Trials

20 recruitingView all trials with filters →

Phase 43 trials

Opioid Free Anaesthesia-Analgesia Strategy on Surgical Stress and Immunomodulation in Elective VATS-Lobectomy for NSCLC

Phase 4

Actively Recruiting

PI: Vasileia Nyktari, MD, PhD (University of Crete, Medical school) · Sites: Heraklion, Crete · Age: 18–80 yrs

Dexmedetomidine in Non-intubated VATS

Phase 4

Actively Recruiting

· Sites: Taipei · Age: 18–80 yrs

Total Intravenous and Balanced Anesthesia in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracoscopy

Phase 4

Active

PI: Nahed Effat, professor (Ain Shams University) · Sites: Cairo, Abasya · Age: 18–70 yrs

N/A10 trials

Assessing the Impact of Additional Serratus Anterior Block Within 24-Hour on Postoperative Pain After Rhomboid Intercostal Block in VATS Patients

N/A

Actively Recruiting

· Sites: Hebron · Age: 18–70 yrs

ESP vs SPSIP Block in VATS Analgesia

N/A

Actively Recruiting

· Sites: Bursa, Nilüfer · Age: 18–65 yrs

Image Guided VATS vs. VATS Resection

N/A

Actively Recruiting

PI: Raphael Bueno, MD (Brigham and Women's Hospital) · Sites: Boston, Massachusetts · Age: 18–99 yrs

Opioid-Free Combined Anesthesia With Spontaneous Breathing for VATS

N/A

Actively Recruiting

· Sites: Wuhan, Hubei · Age: 18–70 yrs

Smartphone-based Remote Symptom Monitoring to Improve Postoperative Rehabilitation Exercise Adherence After Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) for Lung Cancer

N/A

Actively Recruiting

· Sites: Zhongshan, Guangdong · Age: 18–75 yrs

Optimal Postoperative Chest Tube and Pain Management in Patients Surgically Treated for Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax (Pneumotrial)

N/A

Actively Recruiting

· Sites: Veldhoven · Age: 16–99 yrs

Tubeless VATS for Mediastinal Neoplasm

N/A

Actively Recruiting

· Sites: Guangzhou, Guangdong · Age: 18–80 yrs

QoR40 Between Intercostal Block and Intercostal Block and Serratus Plane Catheter During VATS

N/A

Actively Recruiting

PI: Abhijit Biswas, MD (Western University, Canada) · Sites: London, Ontairo · Age: 18–99 yrs

Comparison of SPSIP Block and SAP Block in Non-Intubated Uniportal VATS.

N/A

Actively Recruiting

· Sites: Elâzığ · Age: 18–65 yrs

ITPB 1 vs 3 in VATS

N/A

Actively Recruiting

PI: Manoj K Karmakar, MD, FRCA (Chinese University of Hong Kong) · Sites: New Territories · Age: 18–80 yrs

Other6 trials

Prolonged Hospital Stay After Thoracoscopic Anatomical Lung Resections

Actively Recruiting

· Sites: Bruges; Ghent · Age: 18–99 yrs

Comparison Effects of Three Regional Anesthetic Technique on Pain During Video-assisted Thorascopic Surgery(VATS)

Active

· Sites: Kayseri, Kayseri̇ · Age: 18–80 yrs

Sensory Anesthesia Achieved Through Different Paravertebral Block Approaches for Post-Op Pain Management After VATS Lung Resection

Actively Recruiting

PI: Alex Moore, MD (Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CH) · Sites: Montreal, Quebec · Age: 18–99 yrs

Risk Factors for AKI in Patients Undergoing VATS for Pulmonary Resection

Actively Recruiting

PI: Ali ALAGÖZ, professor (Ankara Ataturk Sanatorium Training and Research Ho) · Sites: Ankara, Keçiören · Age: 18–65 yrs

HTA of NIVATS Based on RWE

Actively Recruiting

PI: Yingyao Chen, PhD (School of Public Health，Fudan University) · Sites: Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality · Age: 18–75 yrs

Target-Controlled Infusion (TCI) vs Inhalational Anesthesia in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)

Actively Recruiting

· Sites: Istanbul, Istanbul · Age: 18–65 yrs

Specialists

20 foundView all specialists →

GM

Giovanni Punzo, MD

Specialist

Thymic tumor Thymoma Thymoma type A

PI on 2 active trials1 Virus-associated trichodysplasia spinulosa publication

Overview

FDA & Trial Timeline

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Specialists

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