Study of cutaneous manifestations in HIV infection

Background: HIV infection is associated with numerous cutaneous changes even before the onset of immunologic dysfunction and AIDS. We all know that as search for reliable clinical indicators for management of human immunodeficiency syndrome in resource poor settings continues, cutaneous disorder can be a good clinical marker of HIV infection, underlying immune status and the disease progression. Aim and objectives: To study occurrence of various cutaneous manifestations in a patients infected with HIV. Materials and methods: 120 HIV positive patients above 14 year old with definite cutaneous manifestations attending dermatology OPD in Department of Skin, STD and Leprosy, in a tertiary care centre Dehradun were studied from December 2013 to January 2016. Results: Among 120 HIV positive patients in our cross-sectional study highest number of patients belonged to 31-40 years age group. Male to female ratio was 1.9: 1 and heterosexual route was the most common route of transmission. Among all cutaneous manifestations pruritic papular eruption, cutaneous drug reactions, molluscum contagiosum, seborrheic dermatitis were common. 14.17% had more than one cutaneous disorder and they had advanced stage of the disease. Conclusion: Early recognition of the cutaneous manifestation can help in better management of HIV infection in resource poor setting as it can indicate progression of the disease and underlying immune status.