Faculty Bibliography

Photosensitivity disorders have been reported in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, often as the initial manifestation of the disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the HIV-infected population demonstrates increased sensitivity to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Minimal erythema dose values to UVB (MED-B) of 57 consecutive HIV-infected patients were compared to those of a control group of 57 consecutive patients with skin diseases, who were otherwise healthy and had no risk factors for HIV infection. MED-B determinations were performed in all individuals prior to the initiation of phototherapy for treatment of skin disease. None of the patients had a history of photosensitivity. Furthermore, the mean levels of the highest UVB doses received by each group during the treatment courses were compared. The mean age of the HIV-infected cohort was 43 years (range 26-61 years). The mean MED-B for this group was 82.8 +/- 3.8 (SEM) mJ/cm2. The mean age of the control group was 45 years (range 24-77 years), and their mean MED-B was 81.0 +/- 3.8 (SEM) mJ/cm2. After 12 weeks of treatment, one HIV-infected patient developed photosensitivity associated with a decreased MED-B value. The mean level of the highest UVB doses received by the HIV-infected group [427.5 +/- 67.2 (SEM) mJ/cm2] was lower than that received by the control group [640.8 +/- 65.9 (SEM) mJ/cm2], since HIV-infected patients received fewer treatments (mean: 34.7 treatments per patient) than the patients in the control group (mean: 65.6 treatments per patient). These data indicate that the HIV-infected patient population, without history of photosensitivity, does not show increased sensitivity to UVB light as determined by MED-B values

To evaluate the efficacy of ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy for the treatment of psoriasis in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the response of 14 patients was compared to that of matched seronegative control individuals. All patients were evaluated prior to treatment (baseline) and after 21 treatments for the extent of total body surface area (TBSA) involvement and the quantification of scale, erythema, and thickness of plaques using a scale of 0 (absent) to 4 (severe). The only concomitant medication allowed was salicylic acid in petrolatum. The cumulative score for scale, erythema, and thickness improved 1.9 +/- 0.5 [mean +/- standard error of mean (SEM)] in the HIV group and 2.4 +/- 0.3 in controls. There was 40.9 +/- 7.3% reduction of TBSA involvement in the former and 38.4 +/- 7.6% reduction in the latter group. None of the differences was statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference in the response to therapy among various stages of immunosuppression in the HIV group. There was also no deterioration of immune status in this group. UVB phototherapy is an effective treatment for psoriasis in patients infected with HIV. The response is identical to that of matched control individuals

Optimistic predictions about the extinction of syphilis have proven to be premature. During the beginning of the decade, the reported numbers of infectious syphilis cases were the highest in 40 years. Despite numerous publications about syphilis, the disease continues to challenge clinicians with its protean cutaneous and systemic manifestations. Co-infection with the human immunodeficiency virus does not appear to significantly influence the stage at presentation, clinical course or serologic positivity in most patients, but coinfected patients may be at risk of developing neurosyphilis and late complications even after administration of adequate treatment

The severe immunosuppression associated with HIV infection increases susceptibility to opportunistic fungi. We describe a primary gangrenous cutaneous infection caused by Rhizopus arrhizus in an HIV-infected intravenous narcotic user. In addition, we review nine reported cases of zygomycosis in HIV-infected patients and discuss the frequency and outcome of zygomycosis in HIV infection. Eight of 10 patients were intravenous drug users. Cutaneous infection occurred in four patients. Another case was associated with drug-induced neutropenia. With treatment, 60% of the patients recovered. HIV-induced immunosuppression rarely predisposes to zygomycosis except in intravenous drug users or persons with other risk factors for this fungal infection