Buschke-Löwenstein tumor and immunity

We report the case of an alcoholic patient, 41 years old, with negative results of serologic tests for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with a perianal Buschke-Lowenstein tumor present for eight years and exceptionally large. The patient's cell-mediated immunity was evaluated by two functional tests: the Multitest IMC (Institut Merieux, Lyon) and the dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) test. The patient neither responded to any Multitest antigens nor was sensitized by DNCB. We consider that the immune shortage in this patient could influence the appearance of the Buschke-Lowenstein tumor.