Prevalence of xerosis, eczema, and hair and nail abnormalities in PLWHA in Cotonou, Benin.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this investigation was to study the prevalence of xerosis, eczema, and hair and nail abnormalities in PLWHA in Cotonou. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on the records of PLWHA in Cotonou. All PLWHA with xerosis, eczema, or abnormal appendages were included. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients had xerosis or eczema. Their mean age was 38 years; the sex ratio 0.51 and the mean CD4 count 89 cells/mm(3). Twenty-three patients had xerosis, which affected the whole body (n = 20), lower limb (n = 2), limbs and trunk (n = 1), without gender difference. Twenty-four patients had eczema of which eight had both eczema and xerosis. Forty-two patients had abnormalities of the hair or nails. Their sex ratio was 0.80 and the mean CD4 count 110 cells/mm(3) . Nineteen patients had abnormalities of the hair and scalp: straight hair (n = 16), squamous lesions (n = 2), and folliculitis abscess (n = 1) with a male predominance. Twenty-three patients had nail dermatophytosis (n = 15), candidiasis (n = 7), and ingrowing nails (n = 1). These conditions affected more often women (74%) than men (26%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of eczema and xerosis is low in our patients. Onychomycosis was the most frequent nail abnormality.

[Mucocutaneous manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus infection in Cotonou, Benin]. / Manifestations cutanéo-muqueuses des personnes vivant avec le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine à Cotonou, Bénin.

The purpose of this study was to describe mucocutaneous manifestations observed in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) in Cotonou, Benin. A transverse retrospective study was carried out on the records of PLHIV who underwent follow-up at the Military Teaching Hospital in Cotonou from February 2002 to September 2005. The files of all eligible adult patients examined by dermatologists prior to initiation of antiretroviral treatment were reviewed. Dermatologic manifestations were defined as any cutaneous or cicatricial lesion of the skin. Data was analyzed using the EPI INFO software package. (version 6.0). A total of 152 patient files were included. The sex ratio was 1.10 with a female predominance. Mean age was 37.8 years. HIV1 was predominant (98%). Two-thirds of patients were as stage 3 according to the WHO classification. A total of 276 dermatologic manifestations were identified. The most common manifestations were buccopharyngeal candidiasis (24.6%), prurigo (20.6%), shingles (11.6%), and dermatophytosis (10.5%). The mean CD4 lymphocyte level was 106 cells/mm3. The CD4 level was below 100 cells/mm3 in 52% of cases involving candidiasis and 60% of cases involving prurigo. Dermatologic findings in this study were identical to those described in most studies from Africa and Asia. However the low prevalence of Koposi's sarcoma and seborrheic dermitits was surprising given the advanced stage of immunodepression in our patients. The most frequent mucocutaneous manifestations of HIV infection in Benin are infectious disease and prurigo.

Manifestations cutaneo-muqueuses des personnes vivant avec le virus de l'immunodeficience humaine a Cotonou (Benin)

L'objectif de cette etude est de decrire les manifestations cutaneo-muqueuses des personnes vivant avec le virus de l'immunodeficience humaine (PVVIH) naives de tout traitement antiretroviral a Cotonou au Benin. Une etude retrospective transversale a ete menee sur des dossiers de PVVIH suivies a l'Hopital d'Instruction des Armees a Cotonou; de fevrier 2002 a septembre 2005. Tous les dossiers de patients adultes eligibles et examines par un dermatologue avant la mise sous traitement antiretroviral ont ete revus. Toute lesion evolutive ou cicatricielle de la peau ou des muqueuses a ete retenue comme affection dermatologique. Les donnees ont ete analysees avec le logiciel Epi Info version 6.0 152 dossiers de patients ont ete retenus. Le sex-ratio etait de 1;10 en faveur des femmes. La moyenne d'age etait de 37;8 ans. Le VIH1 etait predominant (98). 2/3 des patients etaient au stade clinique 3 de l'OMS

[Clinical and immunological profile of HIV infected patients in Cotonou, Benin]. / Profil clinique et immunologique des patients infectés par le VIH dépistés à Cotonou, Bénin.

OBJECTIVES: This study had for aim to identify the clinical status and the level of immuno-deficiency of HIV-infected patients on their first visit. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-six HIV+ patients were prospectively evaluated from November 1, 2001 to May 31, 2002. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-four were infected with HIV1 and two with HIV2. The mean age on the first consultation was 37 +/- 2 years. The m/w sex ratio was 0.9. 46.3% were stage C. The main clinical symptoms were: weight loss (88%), fever (80%), cough (71%), diarrhea (51%). BMI was normal in 70% and KI > or =80% in 57% of the cases but immuno-deficiency was severe with CD4 cells count <200 per mm3 in 69%. The main diseases were digestive candidiasis (53%), pneumonia (18%), tuberculosis (12%), non-determined pneumonia (29%), prurigo (20%), zona (16%), cryptosporidiosis (4%), cerebral toxoplasmosis (3%), and Kaposi's sarcoma (1%).