DERMATOPHYTE INFECTIONS AND HIV DISEASE

Dermatophytosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patient s are among the most common cutaneous diseases: approximately 30 % of all patients are infected. localized dermatophytosis occur with no sig nificant difference among the clinical subgroups (ARC, AIDS, asymptoma tic) but all disseminated cases have been reported in patients with a CD4 count of less than 200 cells per mm(3). Except tinea pedis, cutane ous lesions vary greatly in their clinical presentation and their appe arance is often atypical and very extensive. Trichophyton rubrum, Tric hophyton interdigitale, Epidermophyton floccosum are the most common c ausal agents; other species have been isolated from disseminated derma tophytosis. Usual antifungal drugs are effective but higher doses and long term systemic oral treatment are often necessary to prevent very frequent recurrence.