Symptoms and Causes
What is "Tree-Man" Disease and How is it Caused?
Epidermodysplasia verruciformis is also referred to as the "Tree-Man" Disease, which is an immune deficiency. It is a failed human response to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Type 2 and is believed to stem from a genetic defect. This genetic link is important in helping scientists find a cure.
Those whose immune systems are weak and cannot fight HPV are vulnerable to contracting Tree-Man Disease. Due to the extremely rare immune system deficiency, their bodies are unable to contain the warts. The virus then “hijacks the cellular machinery of their skin cells,” which makes them produce massive amounts of the substance causing tree-like growths known as “cutaneous horns."
Contagious?
Doctors freely touch the people inflicted with this disease and state that it cannot be passed on by simply touching the person who has it.
Symptoms of Tree-Man Disease:
Thick visible warts all over the body as well as on the inside of the skin.
The skin becomes thick and hardened and as old skin dies new skin is created.
The hands and feet, the extremities, are enlarged and it is difficult to use them.
Hands and feet have been described as looking like contorted, yellow-brown
branches extending up to 3 feet.
Skin looks like tree bark or tree roots, hence the name Tree-Man Disease or Tree-Man Syndrome (TMS).
Treatment of Tree-Man Disease:
The warts can be surgically removed, however, they do grow back.
Direct radiation therapy to control the growth has led to cancer in one patient, Ivan.
The symptoms can be alleviated by taking vitamins and anti-viral medication.
Scientists and doctors such as Dr. Anthony Gaspari, an American
dermatologist from the University of Maryland, are currently studying three cases of Tree-Man Disease in the hope of finding a genetic link that will lead to a cure of this disease.
People affected by the Tree-Man Disease:
Dede Kosawa
Zainal
Ivan
Dede and Zainal are both from same area in Indonesia. Ivan is from the Netherlands, however, his dad
grew up in Indonesia. All three men have genetic roots in Indonesia. They originated in West Java.
Videos showing the Tree-Man Disease:
Epidermodysplasia verruciformis is also referred to as the "Tree-Man" Disease, which is an immune deficiency. It is a failed human response to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Type 2 and is believed to stem from a genetic defect. This genetic link is important in helping scientists find a cure.
Those whose immune systems are weak and cannot fight HPV are vulnerable to contracting Tree-Man Disease. Due to the extremely rare immune system deficiency, their bodies are unable to contain the warts. The virus then “hijacks the cellular machinery of their skin cells,” which makes them produce massive amounts of the substance causing tree-like growths known as “cutaneous horns."
Contagious?
Doctors freely touch the people inflicted with this disease and state that it cannot be passed on by simply touching the person who has it.
Symptoms of Tree-Man Disease:
Thick visible warts all over the body as well as on the inside of the skin.
The skin becomes thick and hardened and as old skin dies new skin is created.
The hands and feet, the extremities, are enlarged and it is difficult to use them.
Hands and feet have been described as looking like contorted, yellow-brown
branches extending up to 3 feet.
Skin looks like tree bark or tree roots, hence the name Tree-Man Disease or Tree-Man Syndrome (TMS).
Treatment of Tree-Man Disease:
The warts can be surgically removed, however, they do grow back.
Direct radiation therapy to control the growth has led to cancer in one patient, Ivan.
The symptoms can be alleviated by taking vitamins and anti-viral medication.
Scientists and doctors such as Dr. Anthony Gaspari, an American
dermatologist from the University of Maryland, are currently studying three cases of Tree-Man Disease in the hope of finding a genetic link that will lead to a cure of this disease.
People affected by the Tree-Man Disease:
Dede Kosawa
Zainal
Ivan
Dede and Zainal are both from same area in Indonesia. Ivan is from the Netherlands, however, his dad
grew up in Indonesia. All three men have genetic roots in Indonesia. They originated in West Java.
Videos showing the Tree-Man Disease: