SKIN NECROSIS INDICATING ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME IN PATIENT WITH AIDS

Although antiphospholipid antibodies have been detected in patients wi th human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease, the clinical manifestat ions of the antiphospholipid syndrome are extremely rare. We describe a woman with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and elevated an tiphospholipid antibodies who developed necrotic skin lesions and was subsequently shown to have antiphospholipid syndrome. This finding con tradicts the general belief that such antibodies are not clinically si gnificant in patients with HIV disease. We follow the report with a br ief description of the antiphospholipid syndrome and its relation to A IDS.