Yellow nail syndrome in patients with acquired immunodeficiency disease

Eight patients with proved diagnoses of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, some with chronic sinusitis, pleural effusion, tuberculosis, and other pathologic conditions, were serially examined. Four had yellow discoloration of the distal portions of the nails. Nails of some patients showed ridging, loss or decrease in size of lunulae, and opaqueness. These findings indicate the presence of the yellow nail syndrome, a relatively rare condition, in 50% of these examined patients.