1989/03/01 by Brett M. Coldiron · 179 citations
Medicine · #Asymptomatic #Autoimmune Bullous Skin Diseases #Candida albicans #Dermatology #Disease #Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments #Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) #Immune system #Immunodeficiency #Immunology #Immunopathology #Internal medicine #Medicine #Nail Diseases and Treatments #Outpatient clinic #Population #Viral disease #Zidovudine
paper · doi:10.1001/archderm.1989.01670150047004
published in Archives of Dermatology 125(3), 357 (American Medical Association)
openalex publication_date 1989/03/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
We examined 100 serial patients who were receiving care in a county outpatient immunodeficiency clinic and whose serum was positive by Western blot test for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Skin disorders were found in 92% of these HIV-infected patients, with little difference in prevalence or severity in three clinical categories: patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related complex, and those who were asymptomatic. Patients positive for HIV antibodies had significantly more skin disease, with the exception of dermatophytosis, than did a historical control population. A strong association was observed between the use of zidovudine and the absence of infection with Candida albicans. We conclude that there is a high prevalence of skin disease in HIV-positive patients who seek medical care, and that specialists in skin disease should be included in these patients' initial evaluation and continuing care.