BORDERLINE TUBERCULOID HANSENS-DISEASE IN AIDS

We performed an immunohistochemical analysis of a skin lesion from a p atient with AIDS who had borderline tuberculoid Hansen's disease. We a lso evaluated other laboratory features and performed peripheral blood flow cytometric analysis. The in situ immunologic response to Mycobac terium leprae was minimally affected by concomitant infection and immu nosuppression by HIV. The skin demonstrated the typical characteristic s of borderline tuberculoid lesions. These results indicate that altho ugh a patient with HIV infection may have laboratory evidence typical of the immunosuppression seen in AIDS, the immunologic response to M. leprae is essentially unchanged.