[AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma: 22 cases].
BACKGROUND
Kaposi's sarcoma is the most common acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated malignancy. Our aim was to analyse the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic findings in AIDS patients with Kaposi's sarcoma.


METHODS
This was a retrospective chart review of AIDS patients with Kaposi's sarcoma diagnosed between 1991 and 2005. Epidemiological data, the stage of human immunodeficiency virus's (HIV) infection, clinical characteristics of Kaposi's sarcoma, treatment rendered and outcome were collected. The search of HHV8 was not done.


RESULTS
Twenty two patients were included. They were 17 men and 5 females (sex-ratio=3.4/ 1) with a mean age of 33.6 years at the diagnosis of HIV infection. The Kaposi's sarcoma appeared after a period varying between 0 and 10 years. The Kaposi's sarcoma uncovered the infection in 5 cases. There were 6 homosexual men. The mean rate of CD4 was 216 21/mm3 at the diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma. All patients had skin lesions. Mucocutaneous lesions were isolated in 12 cases and associated with visceral involvement in 10 cases; lung (10 cases), gastrointestinal tract (5 cases), lymphadenopathy (5 cases), liver (4 cases), spleen (2 cases). Antiretroviral therapy was prescribed for 13 patients. Six patients received chemotherapy and 3 others radiotherapy. Outcome was favourable in 4 cases with a partial improvement of the skin lesions in 3 cases and a complete regression in 1 case. Twelve patients died.


CONCLUSIONS
AIDS associated Kaposi's sarcoma is a severe condition because of visceral localisations and the field of immunodeficiency. It requires a precocious diagnosis and collaboration. The identification of HHV8 in the aetiopathogenic mechanism of Kaposi's sarcoma can lead to the development new therapeutic approaches.
Dhrif
Asma Sioud
AS
Service de dermatologie- 2 Service des maladies infectieuses, Hôpital La Rabta, Tunis.
Kilani
Badreddine
B
Ammari
Lamia
L
Kanoun
Fakher
F
Tiouri
H
H
Ben Chaaben
Taoufik
T
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents