Cutaneous manifestations associated with CD4 levels in patients with HIV A single-center observational study.

Abstract

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection continues to be a global public health challenge, despite advances in antiretroviral treatment. Among the medical complications faced by patients with HIV, cutaneous manifestations stand out. The relationship between these manifestations and CD4 lymphocyte levels, an essential component of the immune system, has been the subject of numerous studies. This study aims to determine the relationship between skin manifestations and CD4 levels in patients with HIV at the Infectious Diseases Hospital in 2023.

Methods: The methodology is quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, and retrospective, using observation, description, and analysis.

Results: The study showed a variety of dermatologic conditions in 109 patients. Histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis were the most common, accounting for 21.39% together, especially in patients with CD4 cell counts <200 cells/mm3. Sweet's syndrome was less common, seen in only 3.7% of cases.

Conclusion: In this study, histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis were identified as the most common dermatological diseases in patients with HIV, with a marked predominance of cutaneous manifestations associated with fungal infections. In addition, a correlation between CD4 lymphocyte levels and the appearance and severity of skin manifestations was demonstrated in patients with HIV, especially in those with counts below 200 cells/mm³.