title: HIV dermatology in Switzerland--from the beginning to the present.
abstract: The panendemic of HIV has markedly influenced the dermatology of our generation. This new infection produced atypical manifestations of known dermatological diseases. And beyond that, mucocutaneous diseases emerged, which had not yet been described. Classical epidemiological studies concluded that clustering of AIDS cases could be explained only if AIDS was an infection transmitted by sexual activity or blood. Switzerland was hit early on by the HIV epidemic, and Theo Rufli, the leading expert on sexually transmitted diseases in our country, was involved from the beginning. He contributed with his team to a better delineation of the cutaneous manifestations of HIV infection by directing one of the largest prospective studies on the natural course of cutaneous manifestations of HIV. In addition, he participated in studies which documented new skin diseases in HIV-infected patients. From the very beginning of the epidemic in Switzerland, Theo Rufli founded an organization which helped patients cope with their diagnosis. In Basel, an anonymous consultation facility was established. Theo Rufli also strongly supported the 'Stop AIDS' campaign. This review looks back on the history of HIV in Switzerland and especially in Basel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kantonsspital Aarau, Aarau, and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland. peter.itin@unibas.ch
authors.forename: Peter H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Itin
authors.forename: Susanna K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Fistarol
mesh_terms: D003880:Dermatology / Q000266:history*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000266:history / Q000473:pathology; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000266:history / Q000473:pathology; D013557:Switzerland