Histological findings in the eyelids of aids patients

Purpose: The eyelids of 15 AIDS patients (17 specimens) were examined histo logically at postmortem. Methods: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded and haematoxylin-eosin stained s ections mere examined by conventional light microscopy, The presence of cal cific deposits was confirmed bg special stains and elemental analysis (X-ra y energy dispersive spectroscopy). Results: 6 cases had abnormal microscopical findings. In two cases deposits of calcium oxalates mere observed in the wall of dermal blood vessels and in epithelial cells of sweat and sebaceous glands, respectively. Precipitat es of calcium phosphate mere observed in the superficial substantia propria of the palpebral conjunctiva in an additional patient. Other histological findings in the remaining three patients included flat warts, an unusual el astotic degeneration of the forniceal palpebral conjunctiva and more common lesions (chalazion, Demodex folliculorum infestation of the eyelashes, tri chilemmal cyst). Conclusion: The presence of microscopical lesions in nearly half of this sm all series demonstrates that the eyelids may be affected subclinically in A IDS patients.