Background and aim: it has been estimated that 70000-100000 cases of HIV infection exist in Iran. The main route of transmission is intravenous drug (IV) injection. Rapid spread of this disease necessitates its prompt diagnosis. About 90% of HIV infected patients express cutaneous manifestations; therefore, recognition of these symptoms may be of help in early diagnosis.
Methods: HIV infected patients with suspected skin lesion were referred to Skin Disease and Leishmaniasis Research Center and were examined by an intern contributed in the study. All the information were gathered in data code sheets. Then, all of the patients were visited by the dermatologist for complementary examinations and the results including lesion type, location and duration were recorded in the check list.
Results: fifty persons were examined and 42 patients were selected. Prevalence of dermatologic manifestations was as follows: herpes zoster in 23.8%, seborrheic dermatitis in 14.3%, hyperpigmentation in 19%, oropharyngeal candidiasis in 14.3%, folliculitis in 14.3% dermatophytosis in 4.7%, wart in 4.7%, Kaposi’s sarcoma in 2.3%, and drug eruption in 2.3% , 75% of patient who had hyperpigmentation were infected by their sexual partner and 25% via IV injection. 33% of patient who had folliculitis were infected via IV injection, 33% through blood transfusion and 33% by sexual relationship.
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, paying attention to cutaneous signs HIV/AIDS patients, their early detection and diagnostic and therapeutic measures for them are advocated.