Kaposi’s sarcoma is a neoplasm of endothelial cells within the skin and other organs. Most KS patients are homosexual men. KS may be present in up to 46% of homosexual men with advanced HIV disease at initial diagnosis. The incidence in heterosexual injection drug users is only 3.8%. Herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) has been associated [...]
Eosinophilic folliculitis
Eosinophilic folliculitis typically occurs in HIV-infected persons with helper T cell counts below 200. Intensely pruritic, edematous, urticarial papules and pustules appear in crops on the trunk or face or both. Cultures and histologic examination for infectious agents are negative, but a relative peripheral eosinophilia may be present.
Astemizole ( Hismanal), 10 mg daily has [...]
Cutaneous presentations of primary and secondary syphilis in HIV-infected persons are usually similar to those in non-HIV-infected persons. HIV may delay development of serologic evidence of Treponema pallidum, resulting in negative tests. In the HIV-infected person, a negative serologic test may not be adequate to rule out secondary syphilis.
Treatment.
HIV infected patients with early syphilis should [...]
In acute primary HIV infection, a rash may develop along with a mononucleosis-like illness. The rash may be exanthematous or pityriasis rosea-like, usually does not itch, is distributed over the upper trunk and proximal limbs, and may involve palms and soles. An associated enanthem of oral erythema or superficial erosions may be present. The exanthem [...]
Superficial cutaneous infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) occurs with increased frequency in immunosuppressed patients. The warts seldom cause symptoms, except when on the soles of the feet and around the fingernails.
Relapse of warts after treatment is common, especially in advanced HIV disease. Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy can be applied every 2 to 4 weeks. Topical “anti-wart” [...]
Molluscum contagiosum is a superficial cutaneous viral infection manifesting as 2- to 3-mm flesh-colored hemispheric papules. A faint whitish core usually is visible at the center of each papule, some of which may be slightly umbilicated. This eruption is seen commonly in immunocompetent young children (ages 3 to 8 years), whose lesions are scattered widely [...]
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection is commonly seen early in the course of HIV infection.
This dermatomal eruption may be particularly bullous, hemorrhagic, necrotic, and painful in HIV-infected persons. The duration of blisters and crusts is usually 2 or 3 weeks.
Dissemination of VZV in HIV infection is uncommon. The clinical manifestations of disseminated VZV infection include [...]
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