« Back to Cutaneous Manifestations of Internal Diseases

Cutaneous Manifestations of Aids

»	How significant is the occurrence of skin disease in the setting of HIV infection?
»	Outline the clinical spectrum of cutaneous disease associated with HIV infection.
»	What are the most common dermatoses associated with HIV infection?
»	Can mucocutaneous changes occur as a result of primary HIV infection?
»	What is the most common bacterial pathogen in HIV disease? How does it manifest itself?
»	What is the most common cutaneous malignancy in HIV disease?
»	What are the cutaneous clinical features of epidemic Kaposi’s sarcoma?
»	How is Kaposi’s sarcoma treated?
»	Is the course of syphilis altered in HIV-infected individuals?
»	How does syphilis increase the risk for HIV infection?
»	What is oral hairy leukoplakia?
»	Name the four types of oropharyngeal candidiasis that can be seen in HIV disease.
»	What is HIV-associated eosinophilic folliculitis?
»	Is the incidence of drug eruptions increased in HIV disease?
»	Describe clinical features of molluscum contagiosum infection in the HIV-infected host.
»	How is molluscum contagiosum treated?
»	Is the prevalence of common and genital warts increased in HIV infection?
»	What causes bacillary angiomatosis?
»	How does varicella-zoster virus infection present in the HIV-positive patient?
»	Do any photosensitive dermatoses occur in HIV disease?
»	What is known about granuloma annulare in the setting of HIV infection?
»	Describe some of the potential cutaneous side effects of antiretroviral therapy.
»	What is the immune restoration syndrome?

How significant is the occurrence of skin disease in the setting of HIV infection?

Dermatologic diseases are frequently encountered in HIV-infected patients. In one study of 100 serial outpatients, a 92% prevalence of skin disease was noted. Skin disease may also be the first manifestation of HIV disease and may suggest HIV infection because of increased severity of presentation, atypical clinical appearance, or increased resistance to treatment. In addition, mucocutaneous disease, such as an infection or neoplasm, may be the initial sign of a systemic process in an HIV-infected patient. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was introduced in 1997 and has significantly decreased the occurrence and severity of many skin conditions associated with HIV infection, such as Kaposi’s sarcoma, eosinophilic folliculitis, oral hairy leukoplakia, and molluscum contagiosum.