|
|
Abstract
Chronic leg ulcers as features of end stage HIV disease
Kwalombota K.1, Kusweje V.1
Introduction: Several opportunistic infections appear during the terminal stages of HIV. The most obvious dermatological manifestations are widespread fungal infections, Kaposi’s sarcoma, various dermatological carcinomas and the dermatosis spectrum. We noticed an upsurge in chronic non specific leg ulcers and we sort to find if these could be a result of HIV infection. Chronic leg ulcers in this context were leg ulcers that lasted for more than 3 weeks.
Methods: Patients presenting to the surgical department of Ndola Central Hospital on alternate days were recruited into the study. A cohort of 110 patients was eventually recruited. Baseline investigations taken were full blood counts (FBC), random and fasting blood sugars, urinalysis, Liver function tests, CD 4 count, pus swabs, punch biopsy in some cases and HIV testing. All participants gave informed consent for the study.
Results: 26 (23.6%)participants of the 110 had chronic leg ulcers. 21 were HIV positive, while 5 were negative.54 of the cohort were HIV positive. 2x2 analysis gave the association of the ulcers with HIV with p=0.00032 and chi = 12.89 Mean length of the ulcerations was one and a half month. Liver function tests were normal for all participants. Full blood counts generally showed a haemoglobin less than 10, and low white cell count. None of the leg ulcers was malignant. The biopsed ulcers showed chronic inflammation. Pus swabs revealed polymicrobial infestations: Staphylococcus sp, Streptoccocus sp and anaerobes.
Conclusions: Polymicrobial chronic leg ulcers could be a feature of end stage HIV disease. Further work needs to be done to elucidate the pathogenesis and treatment regimen in this opportunistic manifestation of HIV.
The 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment
Abstract no.
TuPe7.5C01
Suggested Citation
"KwalombotaK., et al.
Chronic leg ulcers as features of end stage HIV disease.
Poster Exhibition:
The 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment:
Abstract no.
TuPe7.5C01"
|
|
|