Dermatological immune restoration syndrome: does it exist?

Dermatological conditions are often an early clue to HIV infection and are common. As the disease progresses patients develop a dominant Th-2 immunological response that may facilitate the development of a number of skin conditions. With antiretroviral therapy the Th-1 response is restored and some skin problems regress. But, paradoxically, some cutaneous conditions may worsen, such as herpes zoster, mucocutaneous herpes, eosinophilic folliculitis and mycobacterial infections. This may be because immune restoration of a host's immunity causes recognition of silent or latent infection and results in development of the condition.