ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia 2001 April;136(2):103-7

Copyright © 2001 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

External genital warts and HIV infection

Graifemberghi S., Ghidini A., Melzani G., Semenza D., Sala R., De Panfilis G.

Spedali Civili - Brescia Divisione di Dermatologia

Background. HIV infection, as well as the related immunosuppression, may be able to favour HPV lesions, including severe dysplasia, of the cervix. The aim of the study was to evaluate both the role of immunosuppression of HIV+ patients in favouring external genital warts (EGW), and the role of HIV infection in favouring the development of severe dysplasia from EGW.
Methods. Cell-mediated parameters, i.e. CD4+ lymphocyte counts in peripheral blood have been examined, as well as the prevalence of severe dysplastic lesions in 241 HIV+ and, as a control, 1095 HIV- patients with EGW, observed at the STD Center in Brescia, Italy, during the decade 1990-1999. A total of 158 HIV+ patients were suffering from condylomata acuminata, 67 from flat-topped papules, 9 from giant condylomata, 7 from bowenoid papulosis.
Results. CD4+ lymphocytes were >500/mm3 in one third, 200-500/mm3 in another third, and <200/mm3 in a further third of HIV+ cases. Severe dysplastic lesions were observed only in 2 HIV+ and in 1 HIV- males.
Conclusions. The role of CD4+ cell count as a parameter of risk factor for EGW is uncertain; rather, other immunorelevant parameters have possibly a role, e.g. local immunosuppression. Concerning the problem of severe dysplastic lesions developing from EGW, the type of HPV seems more important than the HIV coinfection.