Seborrheic dermatitis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Cutaneous eruptions are commonly seen in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Seborrheic dermatitis in this patient population is usually more severe and difficult to diagnose and treat. The butterfly distribution of the rash and the interpretation of the biopsy may suggest a diagnosis of discoid lupus erythematosus, unless the pathologist is aware of the underlying immunodeficiency. We present two cases of patients with documented acquired immunodeficiency syndrome whose initial biopsies were interpreted as discoid lupus but whose cutaneous seborrheic dermatitis actually paralleled human immunodeficiency virus disease activity.