Bowenoid changes in Kaposi's sarcoma.

BACKGROUND

Previous reports have documented the coexistence of multiple infectious organisms or Kaposi's sarcoma within the same biopsy specimens of mucocutaneous lesions in human immunodeficiency virus- (HIV) infected patients.

OBJECTIVE

A 31-year-old black man with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who had Bowenoid changes and Kaposi's sarcoma within the same cutaneous lesion is described.

METHODS

Microbiologic cultures, microscopic examination, and polymerase chain reaction were performed on a lesional skin biopsy specimen to evaluate for infectious organisms, histopathology, and the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), respectively.

RESULTS

Bacteria, fungi, and mycobacteria were not detected with special stains and cultures. The histologic findings were consistent with Bowen's disease in the epidermis and patch stage Kaposi's sarcoma in the dermis. There was no polymerase chain reaction product generated from the HPV-specific primers in two individual polymerase chain reaction assays.

CONCLUSION

The possibility that coexisting infectious or neoplastic disorders, or both, may be present within a single mucocutaneous lesion should always be considered when evaluating a lesion from an HIV seropositive individual.