Bacillary angiomatosis in HIV-infected patients - An epidemiological and clinical study

Background: No data were available on the epidemiological and clinical char acteristics of bacillary angiomatosis (BA) in Germany. Objective:To determi ne epidemiological and clinical data on HIV-associated BA. Methods: A chart review of all BA cases between 1990 and 1998 was performed in 23 German AI DS treatment units. Results: A total of 21 cases of BA was diagnosed. Durin g th is period, the participating HIV centers treated about 17,000 HIV-infe cted patients. As a result, a BA prevalence of 1.2 cases/1,000 patients can be assumed. 19 BA were localized in the skin; in 5 cases bones and in 4 ca ses the liver were involved. Out of 20 patients who received antibiotic the rapy, 13 had complete remission. The median time of duration up to complete remission was 32 days (9-82), During the follow-up of the 20 patients, 7 r elapses were observed, Conclusion: BA is a rare HIV-associated disease with a prevalence of 1,2 cases/1,000 patients in the presented study. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.