Acute genitocrural intertrigo: a sign of primary human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection

We describe a 49-year-old male patient who presented with an acute illness associated with a widespread maculopapular eruption and eroded lesions in the inguinal folds consistent with an acute intertrigo, for which search of mycological and bacteriological causes remained negative. Serological tests disclosed a high viral HIV-1 load and p24 antigenemia, while anti-HIV-1 antibodies were absent, a profile typical of acute HIV-1 infection. Since the maculopapular eruption regressed concomitantly with the orogenital lesions as well as the eroded inguinal lesions prior to specific therapy, our observation indicates that intertriginous lesions may constitute one of the early cutaneous markers of primary HIV-1 infection.