Tubuloreticular structures in a papular eruption associated with human immunodeficiency virus disease

A widespread pruritic papular eruption associated with human immunodeficiency virus has been previously described. Electron microscopic study of lesional skin from a patient who presented with such an eruption showed cytoplasmic tubuloreticular structures in every venular capillary endothelial cell that was studied. The significance of this finding and the possible cause of these structures are discussed. This new finding strongly suggests that this dermatosis is a dermatosis related to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and may be helpful in confirming the diagnosis of the AIDS-related complex or AIDS in future patients presenting with this dermatosis.