[Cutaneous manifestations of HIV]

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus member of the Retroviridae family, the clinical spectrum of which includes: primary infection, clinically asymptomatic stage, early symptomatic infection, and advanced immunodeficiency. The latter can present with complications associated to opportunistic infections, malignancies, and/or neurological diseases. The cutaneous manifestations of HIV are extremely common and include those related with early HIV infection and other infectious diseases (bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic) and noninfectious etiologies. These manifestations may be the first signs of immunosuppression and can lead to the HIV diagnosis. The higher frequency of skin diseases occurs when the CD4 count is less than 250 cells/mm3. The knowledge of these defining cutaneous conditions in patients infected with HIV is essential for an early diagnosis of infection, for establishing an early antiretroviral treatment, and improving the prognosis of these patients.