Histopathological changes of primary HIV infection. Description of three cases and review of the literature.

The histopathological changes observed in the cutaneous rash of three patients who suffered the acute phase of HIV infection are described. In all three patients a perivascular and interstitial inflammatory infiltrate was present in the upper and mid-reticular dermis. In one biopsy isolated areas of epidermal necrosis were observed and in the two other biopsies a perifollicular inflammatory infiltrate was detected with perforation in one case. Furthermore, a periductal infiltrate was observed in one of these biopsies.