Histological findings in the eyelids of AIDS patients.
OBJECTIVE
The eyelids of 15 AIDS patients (17 specimens) were examined histologically at postmortem.


METHODS
Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded and haematoxylin-eosin stained sections were examined by conventional light microscopy. The presence of calcific deposits was confirmed by special stains and elemental analysis (X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy).


RESULTS
6 cases had abnormal microscopical findings. In two cases deposits of calcium oxalates were observed in the wall of dermal blood vessels and in epithelial cells of sweat and sebaceous glands, respectively. Precipitates of calcium phosphate were observed in the superficial substantia propria of the palpebral conjunctiva in an additional patient. Other histological findings in the remaining three patients included flat warts, an unusual elastotic degeneration of the forniceal palpebral conjunctiva and more common lesions (chalazion, Demodex folliculorum infestation of the eyelashes, trichilemmal cyst).


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of microscopical lesions in nearly half of this small series demonstrates that the eyelids may be affected subclinically in AIDS patients.
Pecorella
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Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Patologia Università degli Studi La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Ciardi
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A
Maedsco
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A
Di Tondo
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U
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D002129:Calcium Oxalate / Q000378:metabolism; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D005143:Eyelids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014860:Warts / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology
D002130:Calcium Phosphates; C485828:alpha-tricalcium phosphate; C485830:tetracalcium phosphate; D002129:Calcium Oxalate; C485838:calcium phosphate, monobasic, anhydrous; C020243:calcium phosphate; C485829:calcium phosphate, dibasic, anhydrous