Cutaneous Manifestations in HIV Infected Libyan Patients

Cutaneous manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease may result from HIV infection itself, or from opportunistic disorders secondary to the declined immunocompetence due to the disease. A total of 220 HIV positive patients, treated in the Benghazi Center of Infectious Diseases and Immunology over a period of 14 years (January 2003 to November 2016), were included in a retrospective study. The patients' age ranged from 7 to 46 years. The study was conducted by reviewing the patients' records using the management information system (MIS). Statistical analysis of the data was carried out by the t-test and Chi square test. Among the studied patients, 119 (54.1%) were males and 101 (45.9%) were females, and most of them (78.6%) were 10 – 19 years of age. The predominant mode of transmission was parenteral transmission, in 95% of patients, and positive family history was observed in 12% of patients. Among the total number of visits to dermatologists, 93% of patients had a single disease. Of the total number of skin diseases diagnosed during the visits, parasitic infestations were seen in 92 patients (21.0%), eczematous and related disorders in 78 patients (17.8%), viral infections in 71 patients (16.2%), bacterial infections in 41 patients (9.3%), and fungal infections in 35 patients (7.9%). Dermatophyte infections were the most common fungal infections recorded in 19 patients (4.3%), followed by Candida infection in 11 patients (2.5%). Warts were found in 5.9% of viral infections, followed by herpes zoster (4.1%). HIV positive patients should be examined for skin disorders, because early diagnosis and management of such problems improves the quality of life in these patients.