Prevalence of undiagnosed HIV infection in patients with ocular surface squamous neoplasia in a tertiary center in Karnataka, South India.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of undiagnosed and asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in patients with ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) in a referral hospital in Karnataka, South India.


METHODS
A consecutive series of patients presenting with OSSN were evaluated in an academic center during January 2009 to June 2010. A detailed history was obtained and physical examination in 25 consecutive patients with OSSN was performed. Twenty-three patients (88%) agreed to undergo serological HIV testing. Of these, 2 were excluded from the current study because they had xeroderma pigmentosa, a known predisposing factor for OSSN.


RESULTS
Of the 21 patients, 6 (29%) patients were HIV positive. None of the patients had previous HIV testing. The median age of presentation among HIV-positive patients was 36 years, whereas it was 54 years among HIV-negative patients. The mean CD4 count in HIV-positive patients was 133 cells per mm, and all patients were started on antiretroviral treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The conjunctival tumor may be the primary and the only apparent manifestation of HIV in patients presenting with OSSN, and the ophthalmologist needs to be aware of this association.
Minto Ophthalmic Hospital, Cornea Department, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore, India. thanugopal@yahoo.co.in
Thanuja G
TG
Pradeep
Suresh Babu
SB
Gangasagara
Guruprasad B
GB
Subbaramaiah
Mala B
MB
Suresh
Nagaraju
N
Gangashettappa
Raviprakash
R
Durgappa
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult