title: Comparison between histopathologic features of leprosy in reaction lesions in HIV coinfected and non-coinfected patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leprosy and HIV are diseases that have a major impact on public health in Brazil. Patients coinfected with both diseases, appear to be at higher risk to develop leprosy reactions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to describe the histopathological aspects of cutaneous lesions during reactional states in a group of patients with HIV-leprosy coinfection, compared to patients with leprosy, without coinfection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two groups were established: group 1 comprised of 40 patients coinfected with HIV-leprosy; group 2, comprised of 107 patients with leprosy only. Patients presenting reactional states of leprosy had their lesions biopsied and comparatively evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reversal reaction was the most frequent feature in both groups, with dermis edema as the most common histopathological finding. Giant cells were seen in all group 1 histopathological examinations. Dermis edema was the most common finding in patients with erythema nodosum leprosum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Few histopathological differences were found in both groups, with reversal reaction as the most significant one, although this fact should be analyzed considering the predominant BT clinical form in the coinfected group and BB form in the group without HIV. Larger prospective studies in patients with HIV-leprosy coinfection are needed to confirm and broaden these results.
authors: Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.
authors: Carla Andréa Avelar
authors: CA
authors: Pires
authors: Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.
authors: Mario Fernando Ribeiro de
authors: MF
authors: Miranda
authors: Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.
authors: Maraya de Jesus Semblano
authors: Mde J
authors: Bittencourt
authors: Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.
authors: Arival Cardoso de
authors: AC
authors: Brito
authors: Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.
authors: Marília Brasil
authors: MB
authors: Xavier
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001706:Biopsy; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D060085:Coinfection / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000473:pathology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult