Zinc status in HIV-infected patients: relation to the presence or absence of seborrheic dermatitis

Inflammatory dermatoses in human immunodeficiency virus

Various inflammatory dermatoses have been described in association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. These either present in the usual way or in varied atypical presentations. This article gives a brief review about the etiopathogenesis and clinical presentation of the common inflammatory dermatoses associated with HIV such as psoriasis, reactive arthritis, seborrheic dermatitis, eosinophilic folliculitis, pruritic papular eruption, photosensitivity disorders prurigo nodularis, atopic dermatitis, and ichthyosis.

Status of selected nutrients and progression of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection

BACKGROUND

Immune function is highly dependent on nutritional status because the large mass and high rate of cellular turnover of the immune system make it a major user of nutrients. Furthermore, nutrient requirements may be increased during acute and chronic infections, including HIV-1 infection.

OBJECTIVE

The current study was designed to assess relations among HIV-1 progression and 11 nutritional and demographic variables.

DESIGN

The participants were 106 HIV-infected outpatients and 29 uninfected control subjects (n = 89 men and 46 women; age range: 35-57 y). The HIV-infected subjects represented a broad range of disease progression.

RESULTS

We found lower concentrations of plasma and erythrocyte magnesium and of erythrocyte reduced glutathione beginning early in the course of HIV-1 infection. Significantly decreased hematocrit and increased serum copper concentration developed only late in the course of the disease. Statistically significant univariate associations were found between the CD4(+) T lymphocyte count and hematocrit, plasma magnesium concentration, and plasma zinc concentration. The lowest erythrocyte magnesium concentrations occurred in HIV-infected subjects who consumed alcoholic beverages. Independent variables that were significant joint predictors of CD4(+) cell count in multiple regression analyses were hematocrit and plasma free choline and zinc concentrations. These 3 factors together explained 43% of the variability in CD4(+) cell counts.

CONCLUSION

The results provide evidence that compromised nutritional and antioxidant status begin early in the course of HIV-1 infection and may contribute to disease progression.