Korean J Dermatol.  2013 Oct;51(10):771-775.

Frequency of Skin Disorders in HIV-infected Patients and Their Relationship to CD4+ T Lymphocyte Counts

• Kim MS
• Ahn JY
• Shin HS
• Park MY

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Skin disorders are common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in Korea. However, introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has changed the skin manifestations of HIV infection.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the frequency of skin disorders and their immune status using CD4+ T lymphocyte counts in HIV infected patients.
METHODS
A retrospective study of 134 HIV-infected patients who visited in our clinic was carried out from September 2008 to July 2011. All subjects underwent complete physical examination to detect their skin disorders as well as necessary diagnostic procedures by consultation with the dermatologist.
RESULTS
Tinea infection (including tinea corporis, tinea pedis and onychomycosis) was the most common skin disorder identified. Patients with a CD4+ T lymphocyte count of less than 200 cells/mm3 showed a significantly higher prevalence of syphilis, oral candidiasis and drug eruption compared with patients with a CD4+ T lymphocyte count of over 200 cells/mm3.
CONCLUSION
Numerous skin disorders were demonstrated in HIV-infected patients. Among them, tinea infection was the most common skin manifestation in 134 HIV-infected patients. Moreover, Syphilis, oral candidiasis and drug eruption were associated with low CD4+ T lymphocyte counts. Further evaluation is necessary to confirm the trend towards changes in skin manifestations in HIV infected patients.

Keyword

CD4+ T lymphocyte count; Frequency; HIV/AIDS; Skin disorders

MeSH Terms

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
Candidiasis, Oral
Drug Eruptions
HIV
HIV Infections
Humans
Korea
Lymphocyte Count*
Lymphocytes*
Physical Examination
Prevalence
Retrospective Studies
Skin Manifestations
Skin*
Syphilis
Tinea
Tinea Pedis