​Symptoms and Signs – Differential Diagnosis of  HIV Infection, Cutaneous Manifestations
BACTERIAL INFECTION
• Bacillary angiomatosis: numerous angiomatous nodules associated with fever, chills, weight loss
• Staphylococcus aureus: folliculitis, ecthyma, impetigo, bullous impetigo, furuncles, carbuncles
• Syphilis: may occur in different forms (primary, secondary, tertiary); chancre may become painful because of secondary infection
FUNGAL INFECTION
• Candidiasis: mucous membranes (oral, vulvovaginal), less commonly Candida intertrigo or paronychia
• Cryptococcoses: papules or nodules that strongly resemble molluscum contagiosum; other forms include pustules, purpuric papules, and vegetating plaques
• Seborrheic dermatitis: scaling and erythema in the hair-bearing areas (eyebrows, scalp, chest, and pubic area)
ARTHROPOD INFESTATIONS
• Scabies: pruritus with or without rash, usually generalized but can be limited to a single digit
VIRAL INFECTION
• Herpes simplex: vesicular lesion in clusters; perianal, genital, orofacial, or digital; can be disseminated
• Herpes zoster: painful dermatomal vesicles that may ulcerate or disseminate
• HIV: discrete erythematous macules and papules on the upper trunk, palms, and soles are the most characteristic cutaneous finding of acute HIV infection.
• Human papillomavirus: genital warts (may become unusually extensive)
• Kaposi’s sarcoma (herpesvirus): erythematous macules or papules; enlarge at varying rates; violaceous nodules or plaques; occasionally painful
• Molluscum contagiosum: discrete umbilicated papules commonly on the face, neck, and intertriginous sites (axilla, groin, or buttocks)
NONINFECTIOUS
• Drug reactions: more frequent and severe in patients with HIV
infection
• Nutritional deficiencies: mainly seen in children and patients with
chronic diarrhea; diffuse skin manifestations, depending on the
deficiency
• Psoriasis: scaly lesions; diffuse or localized; can be associated with
arthritis
• Vasculitis: palpable purpuric eruption (can resemble septic
emboli)