Braunstein S, Rodriguez Rios E, Gulotta H, Bisione F, Troncoso A, Santucho E; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. B10268.

Infectious Diseases Francisco Muniz Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina

BACKGROUND: MC, affects about 5-10% of patient with HIV infection, often showing extensive, confluent and atypical lesions. METHODS: Our objective was to present on the clinical aspect of two HIV-infected patients with atypical and severe MC. Patient 1: A 35-year-old patients was admitted with confluent masses of up to 10 cm diameter involving the entire buttocks and thighs. TCD4+ cells count: 34 cells/mm3, viral load: > 5.8 log. Patient 2: A 31-year-old woman, IDU in advanced stage of AIDS. The clinical examination revealed the presence of multiple papule lesions, noninflamed, umbilicated popular lesions, some of them were notably large (even more than 3 cm). The localization was mainly in the face and neck regions. TCD4+ cell count of 5 cells/mm3, viral load: >4.2 log. RESULTS: In both cases, one lesion was excised and processed for histologic examination by light microscopy. Histopathology of the excised lesion showed molluscum bodies within the acanthotic, hyperkeratotic epithelium surrounded by chronic, nongranulomatous inflammation. CONCLUSION: These two HIV-infected patients presented, respectively, buttocks and face localized lesions. The first patient was unresponsive to therapy and died five months after MC diagnosis, and death cause was attributed to disseminated tuberculosis. The other patient received oral ARV therapy and the cutaneous lesions cleared 6 months after HAART was started. The lesions were atypical concerning the localization, morphology, growth pattern, and size. In AIDS patient, examination of a biopsy specimen is crucial to the diagnosis of all skin lesions, which are often atypical or deceptive or not specific enough for a clear-cut diagnosis. MC in AIDS patients, although not life threatening, appears when CD4 levels reach a certain decline, therefore its presence can be considered as a marker of late-stage disease, mirrors marked cellular immune deficiency and poor prognosis.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
• Communicable Diseases
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Humans
• Molluscum Contagiosum
• Viral Load

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0012285

UI: 102249783

From Meeting Abstracts