Dermatologic complications of HIV infection.

Overview

Cutaneous disorders occur with great frequency in patients with HIV infection and increase in number and severity as the disease progresses and immune function declines. In addition, the first findings related to HIV infection are often on the skin. Cutaneous infections with herpesviruses may be severe and atypical in their presentations; papillomaviruses and MC are common as well. Bacterial infections may be primary or secondary to other skin diseases; superficial and deep fungal infections are also prevalent. Papulosquamous disorders, including seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema, may be disfiguring and result in secondary complications. Neoplastic disorders, especially Kaposi's sarcoma, demand early diagnosis, to afford the patient maximal treatment options. All physicians must be aware of these cutaneous manifestations to decrease morbidity and improve quality of life in the HIV-infected individual.