Revista de SIDA e investigación clínica

HIV Seropositivity among Patients Presenting with Herpes Zoster Infection

Abstract

Abubaker Omer Ali Abdalla, Isam Mohamed Elkhidir and Abdelgadir Ali Bashir

Background: Skin manifestations are usually the first presentation in HIV infection. Most common of these manifestations is herpes zoster. This study was carried out to determine HIV seroprevalence in patients with herpes zoster and to identify factors that may affect its prevalence.

Methods: 40 patients were included in the study after clinical confirmation of herpes zoster. Every patient was interviewed privately to assess demographic, social and medical information. Data were obtained with high confidentiality. Blood samples were collected and tested for presence of antibodies against HIV.Khartoum.

Results: Out of the 40 patients screened, 6 (15%) were found HIV seropositive, with significant association in patients with previous herpes zoster attack, history of traveling to endemic areas and sexually transmitted infections.

Conclusion: We found high prevalence of HIV in patients with herpes zoster. These results may indicate the need for early screening of herpes zoster patients to facilitate better management of HIV infection.