Abstract

Dermatological conditions are observed in an estimated 90% or more of all HIV infected people worldwide. Microbial infections, inflammatory conditions and neoplasms are the three main causes for the development of dermatological findings in HIV patients. A total of 276 HIV patients were examined by a dermatologist to identify skin, hair and nail pathologies. CD4 count was measured; Liver function test (LFT) and complete blood count (CBC) were also done. Skin biopsies were obtained and sent for pathological study. Analysis showed 90 (32.6%) of patients had at least one identifiable dermatological ailment. The most common dermatologic manifestations were dermatitis (22.3%), seborrheic dermatitis (13.8%), folliculitis (6.7%), dermatophytosis (6.7%), oral candidiasis (6.7%), warts (6.7%) and Herpes Zoster (3.6%). CD4 count was positively and significantly associated with occurrence of a dermatologic manifestation. Moreover, the type of antiretroviral drug was correlated with these manifestations. Due to high prevalence of skin diseases, severity of complications and overall influence on the patient’s quality of life, considerations should be given to timely diagnosis and treatment of dermatologic complications among HIV/AIDS patients.   

Key words: Dermatologic, HIV/AIDS, prevalence.