Idiopathic genital ulcers in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Jean Anderson, Rebecca A. Clark*, D. Heather Watts, Michele Till, Concepcion Arrastia, Paula Schuman, Susan E. Cohn, Mary Young, Laura Bessen, Ruth Greenblatt, Mary Vogler, Susan Swindells, Pam Boyer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

A national survey of investigators caring for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women was undertaken to describe the clinical presentation of idiopathic genital ulcer disease. Patients with negative syphilis and herpes simplex testing and/or negative genital ulcer biopsy were included in this study. Study participants (n = 29) were generally severely immunocompromised (median CD4 cell count was 50/mm3, and 68% had an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS]-defining opportunistic process). Thirty- seven percent had coexistent oral ulcers and 19% had their genital ulcer progress to fistula formation (four rectovaginal and one vaginal-perineal). There was generally a favorable response to topical, systemic, and intralesional steroid treatment. This study suggests that idiopathic or probable aphthous genital ulcers in women have similar clinical characteristics to aphthous oroesophageal ulcers. Although infrequent, these genital ulcers can cause severe morbidity. Further research is warranted to better define the pathophysiology and optimal management.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)343-347
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology
Volume13
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996

Keywords

  • Aphthous ulcers
  • Genital ulcer disease
  • HIV-infected women

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Virology
  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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