Conjunctival non-caseating granulomas in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patient attributed to sarcoidosis.
OBJECTIVE
To report a rare case of isolated ocular sarcoidosis in an HIV positive patient.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
A 47-year-old HIV+ Caucasian male was referred for chronic bilateral follicular conjunctivitis.


RESULTS
A conjunctival biopsy that was performed on the right eye showed sarcoidosis. General medical evaluation including a spiral thin cut chest CT scan revealed no systemic involvement. The ocular signs and symptoms resolved completely with topical corticosteroid treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
HIV infection and sarcoidosis rarely coexist, presumably because their immunopathogenesis mechanisms diverge. In the absence of systemic involvement, a definite diagnosis can only be made by biopsy of the ocular tissues.
Papadaki
Thekla G
TG
Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institute, Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. theklapap@med.uoc.gr
Kafkala
Chrysanthi
C
Zacharopoulos
Ioannis P
IP
Seyedahmadi B
Jian
J
Dryja
Thaddeus
T
Foster
C Stephen
CS
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006099:Granuloma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D000069559:Loteprednol Etabonate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D000730:Androstadienes; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D000069559:Loteprednol Etabonate