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.
PIP: Cutaneous manifestations are common in patients infected with HIV and tend to be more frequent as immunodeficiency progresses. It remains, however, unclear which or how many with HIV-1 infection will develop skin disease. This paper presents and describes the commonly reported skin diseases occurring in people with HIV-1 infection. Observed infections include herpes zoster, herpes simplex, chancroid, syphilis, condylomata acuminata, oral hairy leukoplakia, molluscum contagiosum, candidiasis, bacterial infections, dermatophytosis, and scabies. Noninfective conditions such as pruritic papular eruption, seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis, and others may also present. Regarding disease etiology, a transient maculopapular rash may present in the initial stage of HIV infection. Seborrhoeic dermatitis, persistent genital ulcer disease, pruritic papular eruption, and/or a variety of scaling dermatoses may then be observed during the otherwise asymptomatic phase. Kaposi's sarcoma is the most frequent skin tumor associated with HIV disease. It is also observed that skin manifestations of adverse reactions to drugs occur more frequently in patients with HIV disease than in immunocompetent patients. In closing, most skin diseases associated with HIV disease respond well to standard treatment regimens. Relapses and/or recurrences are, however, frequent among these patients.