Abstract

AIDS is characterized with immune dysregulation and depletion of CD4+ T cells and increased vulnerability to different pathological conditions, including many dermatoses. The present report describes features of Darier disease (DD) in an HIV-positive patient. The subject of this report was a 45-year-old Ghanaian man referred to the dermatology unit of the Iranian Red Crescent Society in Accra, Ghana. He presented with numerous follicular keratotic red-brown papules on the scalp, face, retroauricular regions, ears, sternum, upper trunk, hands, axilla, and inguinal regions. The lesions first appeared on the dorsal surface of the hands and face and subsequently appeared on the other parts of the body including the outline of the scalp. This is the first report of DD in the setting of HIV infection. Significant features of this case associated with HIV in comparison with non-HIV cases are negative family history of DD, late onset, and wide distribution of the disease without abnormality on the nails and mucous membranes beginning a few years after involvement with HIV virus.