« Back to Cutaneous Manifestations of Internal Diseases

Cutaneous Manifestations of Aids

»	How significant is the occurrence of skin disease in the setting of HIV infection?
»	Outline the clinical spectrum of cutaneous disease associated with HIV infection.
»	What are the most common dermatoses associated with HIV infection?
»	Can mucocutaneous changes occur as a result of primary HIV infection?
»	What is the most common bacterial pathogen in HIV disease? How does it manifest itself?
»	What is the most common cutaneous malignancy in HIV disease?
»	What are the cutaneous clinical features of epidemic Kaposi’s sarcoma?
»	How is Kaposi’s sarcoma treated?
»	Is the course of syphilis altered in HIV-infected individuals?
»	How does syphilis increase the risk for HIV infection?
»	What is oral hairy leukoplakia?
»	Name the four types of oropharyngeal candidiasis that can be seen in HIV disease.
»	What is HIV-associated eosinophilic folliculitis?
»	Is the incidence of drug eruptions increased in HIV disease?
»	Describe clinical features of molluscum contagiosum infection in the HIV-infected host.
»	How is molluscum contagiosum treated?
»	Is the prevalence of common and genital warts increased in HIV infection?
»	What causes bacillary angiomatosis?
»	How does varicella-zoster virus infection present in the HIV-positive patient?
»	Do any photosensitive dermatoses occur in HIV disease?
»	What is known about granuloma annulare in the setting of HIV infection?
»	Describe some of the potential cutaneous side effects of antiretroviral therapy.
»	What is the immune restoration syndrome?

What is known about granuloma annulare in the setting of HIV infection?

A recent study of 34 consecutive HIV-positive patients with a clinical and histologic diagnosis of granuloma annulare revealed that the generalized form of granuloma annulare was a more common clinical pattern than the localized form of granuloma annulare. In this study, two patients with localized granuloma annulare had perforating lesions, both clinically and histologically. Although granuloma annulare can occur in all stages of HIV infection, it is slightly more common in patients with AIDS. Generalized granuloma annulare lesions appear as multiple, discrete, skin-colored dermal papules distributed on the trunk and extremities. Localized granuloma annulare lesions present as solitary or few discrete papules or annular plaques on one area of the body. The histologic findings of HIVassociated granuloma annulare are similar to those of non–HIV-infected individuals. There are no known cases of diabetes mellitus reported in association with HIV and granuloma annulare.

Toro JR, Chu P, Yen T-S B, et al: Granuloma annulare and human immunodeficiency virus infection, Arch Dermatol 135:1341–1346, 1999.