Vitiligo and alopecia areata in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

South Med J. 1995 Apr;88(4):489-91. doi: 10.1097/00007611-199504000-00024.

Abstract

In patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) the development of autoimmune diseases, while not life threatening, is an interesting phenomenon that may result from immune dysfunction or from B cell infection by HIV, Epstein-Barr virus, or other unknown viruses. Vitiligo and alopecia areata are among the autoimmune diseases that have been reported in 11 patients infected with HIV. We describe a 47-year-old man who had vitiligo and alopecia areata approximately 2 years after testing positive for HIV antibodies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alopecia Areata / etiology*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / etiology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Seropositivity*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Vitiligo / etiology*