Infection with the human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV) results in progressive depletion of
the CD4 subset T-lymphocytes and the devel
opment of skin opportunistic infections, in
flammatory dermatoses and unusual malig
nancies. Both clinical and immunological
evaluation were done for 23 HIV infected pa
tients and 20 individuals with negative HIV.
They were classified into four categories ac
cording to the CD4 percentage:
a)Group I (control group) with HIV nega
tive, CD4 percentage (50.18%).
b)Group II HIV infected patients without any
clinical manifestations, CD4 percentage
(33.51%).
c)Group III HIV infected patients with re
current oral candidiasis, CD4 percentage
(20.26%). .
d)Group IV HIV infected patients with other
cutaneous manifestations (Molluscum contagiosum,
Onychomycosis, Herpes zoster,
Acneform eruption, Seborrheic dermatitis,
psoriasis and Kaposi's sarcoma) CD4 per
centage (12.19%).
Improved understanding and recognition of
the clinical spectrum of the skin manifesta
tions of HIV patients and its relation to the
immunological state will lead to improved pa
tient care since early identification and treat
ment can be achieved more readily.The human immunodeficiency virus produc
es progressive immunodeficiency (depletion of
the CD4 subset T lymphocytes) that results in
many opportunistic infections as well as several
papulosquamous or inflammatory cutaneous
disorders and unusual malignancies'2'. There is
a definitive relationship between the level of
immunocompetence and these disorders'3'. By
recognizing the cutaneous manifestations, the
dermatologist can suspect or possibly define
and diagnose HIV infection early in its course.
In these patients, skin diseases even common
ones, may appear quite different from what is
usually seen in immunocompetent persons'4'
yet undefined cofactors. Many studies have con
firmed a median progression time of about 10
years although substantial individual variability
exists'5'. Other studies have found that timely
intervention, i.e. antiretroviral therapy and/or
primary prophylaxis for the most common op
portunistic infections can significantly delay the
•"development of AIDS, and affect over all mor
bidity and mortality'6'7'. |
