Silent HIV infection masquerading behind psoriasis

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune skin disease characterized by immune-mediated cutaneous inflammation and keratinocyte hyperproliferation. Psoriasis can be the early presenting cutaneous manifestation in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. We report three patients presenting with severe extensive cutaneous psoriatic lesions, psoriatic arthritis, cachehxia, oesophagitis, “Tambaram tongue” in whom initial serological testing for HIV was negative, but Westernblot test confirmed the diagnosis of HIV infection.

Keywords

• Human immunodeficiency virus infection
• psoriasis