Cutaneous Findings Associated with HIV Disease Including AIDS: Experience from Sub Saharan Africa

Abstract

Cutaneous manifestations are common in patients with HIV infection and tend to be more frequent as immunodeficiency progresses. In the initial stage of HIV infection a transient maculopapular-rash may appear. During the otherwise asymptomatic phase that follows, patients may develop seborrhoeic dermatitis, persistent genital ulcer disease, pruritic papular eruption and/or a variety of scaling dermatoses. The most frequent skin tumour associated with HIV disease is Kaposi's sarcoma. Skin manifestations of adverse reactions to a variety of drugs occur more frequently in patients with HIV disease than in immunocompetent patients.

In general most skin diseases that occur in association with HIV disease respond well to standard treatment regimens. However relapses, and/or recurrences are frequent in this group of patients.