Disseminated granuloma annulare as a presentation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Abstract

Localized granuloma annulare is the commonest form of a granulomatous dermatosis characterized by flesh coloured or violaceous papules often arranged in rings. Several rare atypical variants are also reported including disseminated or generalized, subcutaneous and perforating types. There is a predilection for females and a documented association with diabetes mellitus in some cases. Recently it has been suggested that atypical variants of granuloma annulare might be associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We describe a patient presenting with extensive generalized granuloma annulare in whom an underlying diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) disease was confirmed.