Sarcoidosis after highly active antiretroviral therapy in a patient with AIDS

Histopathology of Dermatologic Complications of Tattoos

ABSTRACT

Tattoos are characterized by the introduction of exogenous pigments into the dermis. Tattoos usually serve cosmetic purposes, although they may have other causes, such as traumatic pigment implants in accidents or medical-related tattoos in the context of radiotherapy. Dermatologic adverse reactions are relatively uncommon, and they include infections, immune-mediated reactions, cutaneous lesions secondary to the Koebner phenomenon, exacerbation of preexisting dermatosis, benign and malignant neoplasms, and a miscellaneous group of dermatologic conditions that may appear in a preexisting tattoo. The aim of this study is to review the types of histopathologic reactions that may appear in a preexisting permanent tattoo.

Conjunctival non-caseating granulomas in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patient attributed to sarcoidosis

PURPOSE

To report a rare case of isolated ocular sarcoidosis in an HIV positive patient.

DESIGN

Case report.

METHODS

A 47-year-old HIV+ Caucasian male was referred for chronic bilateral follicular conjunctivitis.

RESULTS

A conjunctival biopsy that was performed on the right eye showed sarcoidosis. General medical evaluation including a spiral thin cut chest CT scan revealed no systemic involvement. The ocular signs and symptoms resolved completely with topical corticosteroid treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV infection and sarcoidosis rarely coexist, presumably because their immunopathogenesis mechanisms diverge. In the absence of systemic involvement, a definite diagnosis can only be made by biopsy of the ocular tissues.