Generalized Severe Plaque Psoriasis in an HIV Positive Patient – a Challenging Treatment

Abstract

Psoriasis is a systemic chronic immune-mediated disorder, rarely reported in HIV-infected patients, in which the disease is more severe and debilitating. Response to treatment is modest, and skin diseases may profoundly affect the patients' quality of life. Anti-psoriasis therapies have immunosuppressive effects and must be carefully recommended in HIV-infected patients. Moreover, the compliance of HIV patients diagnosed with psoriasis is low, and monitoring these patients is challenging. Herein we present a rare case of severe HIV-associated psoriasis with large plaques localized on the trunk, abdomen, limbs and plantar area in a non-compliant patient, with impaired renal and hepatic functions, dyslipidemia, and anemia, for whom the therapeutic approach was disappointing.