PONCETS-DISEASE AND PAPULONECROTIC TUBERCULID IN A PATIENT INFECTED WITH THE HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS

We report the case of a 27-year-old patient with the human immunodefic iency virus (HN) infection who presented with a 2-week history of crop s of painful, red papules over the trunk and extremities, together wit h a sterile, symmetric polyarthritis involving the small and large joi nts. Histologic study of a skin biopsy specimen demonstrated features of papulonecrotic tuberculid. Analytical and microbiologic studies rul ed out tuberculous infection. Both the synovial and the skin processes were considered to be an immune response secondary to Mycobacterium t uberculosis infection. Specific treatment was established, and there w as marked improvement in both the skin and joint symptoms, This case i llustrates the complex relationship between the host and the HIV, sugg esting an immune dysregulation cause for both the synovial and the ski n lesions.