Dermatology · 2009 · 50 citations · 0 references
MedicineDermatologyInfectious DiseasesClinical ImmunologyDermatopathologyImmunology Of Infectious DiseasesCutaneous NeoplasmsImmunodeficiency DisordersInflammatory Skin DisordersKaposi SarcomaOral CandidiasisSkin InfectionsCd4 T-cell DepletionCutaneous CandidiasisDermatologic InfectionsDermatological InfectionsFungal Skin DiseasesGenital WartsOral Hairy LeukoplakiaViral Skin Infections
BACKGROUND: Skin manifestations are common in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but the prognostic significance of may of them is not clear. METHODS: Skin disorders were studied in a cohort of 267 HIV-infected patients followed prospectively and were correlated to the CD4+ cell count. RESULTS: Among the most specific to HIV infection, Kaposi's sarcoma, oral hairy leukoplakia, molluscum contagiosum, xerosis and oral candidiasis were statistically associated to a low CD4+ cell count (200-300 CD4+/mm3; p < 0.001). Kaposi's sarcoma, oral candidiasis and molluscum contagiosum were more frequent in homosexual males (p < 0.05). Genital warts were more frequent in intravenous-drug users (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that dermatological findings are useful clinical predictors of the presence or progression of HIV infection.