Dermatologic findings in HIV-1-infected patients: A prospective study with emphasis on CD4+ cell count

Background: Skin manifestations are common in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but the prognostic significance of many of them is not clear, Methods: Skin disorders were studied in a cohort of 267 HIV-infected patients followed prospectively and were correlated to the CD4+ cell count. Results: Among the most specific to HIV infection, Kaposi's sarcoma, oral hairy leukoplakia, molluscum contagiosum, xerosis and oral candidiasis were statistically associated to a low CD4+ cell count (200-300 CD4+/mm(3); p<0.001). Kaposi's sarcoma, oral candidiasis and molluscum contagiosum were more frequent in homosexual males (p < 0.05). Genital warts were more frequent in intravenous-drug users (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These results suggest that dermatological findings are useful clinical predictors of the presence or progression of HIV infection.