HIV-associated seborrhoeic dermatitis (Q88908)

Seborrhoeic dermatitis associated with underlying HIV infection. Although seborrhoeic dermatitis is a common disease affecting 2%-4% of the general population, up to 80% of HIV-infected people develop seborrhoeic dermatitis at some stage after becoming infected. It is postulated that the alteration of the immune system in HIV-AIDS changes the way the skin responds to the presence of Malassezia yeasts on the skin. Seborrhoeic dermatitis is more prevalent and has an earlier onset after acquisition of HIV in homosexual and bisexual men than in intravenous drug users. There is an inverse correlation between severity and the CD4 T-cell count.