title: Breast gangrene in an HIV-positive patient.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breast gangrene has been reported as a complication following puerperal sepsis, breast surgery, nipple piercings, warfarin toxicity, etc. We report a case of primary breast gangrene in an HIV-positive individual which, to the best of our knowledge, is the first of its kind.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 40-year-old previously healthy woman presented with fulminating left breast gangrene. She was detected to be HIV positive. Mastectomy was performed. The detailed management of the condition is discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Severe necrotising infections may be initial manifestations of HIV infection and patients with such infections should be screened for HIV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India. docvivek@gmail.com
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Venkatramani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pillai
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marathe
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Rege
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Hardikar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005734:Gangrene; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host