Mucocutaneous manifestations in Japanese HIV-positive hemophiliacs.

BACKGROUND

Although various mucocutaneous manifestations have been reported in patients infected with HIV by sexual transmission or intravenous drug use, the prevalence and characteristics of skin disorders in HIV-positive hemophiliacs coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have rarely been described.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of skin disorders in HIV-positive hemophiliacs and to identify differences in comparison with other HIV-positive groups.

METHODS

A prospective study of the prevalence of mucocutaneous manifestations in 110 Japanese hemophiliacs (53 HIV-positive hemophiliacs including 24 AIDS and 57 HIV-negative hemophiliacs) was performed from July 1997 to July 1998.

RESULT: None of the hemophiliacs developed Kaposi's sarcoma or sexually transmitted skin diseases. Eosinophilic folliculitis was observed in 3 AIDS patients. The incidence of folliculitis, common warts, seborrheic dermatitis, generalized eczema, oral candidiasis and herpes zoster was higher in HIV-positive than in HIV-negative hemophiliacs (p < 0.05). Although anti-HCV antibody was positive in all HIV-positive hemophiliacs, HCV-related dermatoses such as lichen planus and porphyria cutanea tarda were not observed.

CONCLUSION

Although Kaposi's sarcoma and sexually transmitted skin diseases such as molluscum contagiosum, condyloma, and scabies are frequently associated with HIV, they were not found in the HIV-positive hemophiliacs in our study. HIV infection-related mucocutaneous manifestations are influenced not only by the presence of HIV but also by other factors such as the mode of transmission and sexual habit.