Eosinophilic folliculitis in 2 HIV-positive women

Human immunodeficiency virus-associated eosinophilic folliculitis (HIV-EF) among homosexual men is a commonly reported dermatologic finding, while only 4 cases in HIV-positive women have been documented in the literature to date. This article describes 2 additional cases of HIV-EF in immunocompromised women and reviews the data on this condition.

The diagnoses were made on the basis of clinical appearance and microscopic analysis of skin biopsies. The women were not receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and their CD4 cell counts were below 100/ micro L.

As HIV prevalence continues to increase in the female population, more cases of HIV-EF will be seen among women. Because the etiology of HIV-EF remains elusive, no single treatment stands above the rest although several successful therapies have been demonstrated. However, HAART restores the proper T-cell milieu, which seems to improve the course of this disease.