IS PHOTOTHERAPY SAFE FOR HIV-INFECTED INDIVIDUALS

Patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have a high prevalence of UV radiation-responsive skin diseases including psoriasi s, pruritus, eosinophilic folliculitis and eczemas. On the other hand, UV has been shown to suppress T cell-mediated immune responses and to induce activation and replication of HIV. These developments have pro mpted clinicians and investigators to question,whether phototherapy is safe for HIV-infected individuals. We have reviewed these issues and hereby provide a summary and critique of relevant laboratory and clini cal evidence.