Hypertrichosis of the Eyelashes in Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Acquired Eyelash Trichomegaly and Alopecia areata in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patient

“…To the best of our knowledge, this unusual constellation of clinical features has only previously been de scribed in the small number of patients with Oliver McFarlane syndrome [20], This is a congenital disorder characterized not only by eyelash trichomegaly and sparse scalp hair (alopecia areata), but also by pigmentary reti nal degeneration, growth retardation, anterior pituitary deficiencies, and peripheral neuro pathy. In addition to Oliver McFarlane syn drome, congenital eyelash trichomegaly has been observed in children with Cornelia dc Lange syndrome |21], In contrast to congenital eyelash tricho megaly, acquired trichomegaly of the eye lashes has previously been seen in im munocompromised patients and/or patients receiving either immune modulating or im munosuppressive medications [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Com mon findings in many of the patients with HIV-associated eyelash enlargement include: (1) a severe depletion of T4 cells and (2) intol erance of zidovudine, both present in our pa-■ ■ ■ .…”

Hypertrichosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

“…Despite the fact that several authors have used the terms trichomegaly and hypertrichosis of the eyelashes synonymously, we have avoided the former term because it means that the diameter of the eyelash hairs is increased compared to that of the normal population The presence of excessive eyelash growth has been described in patients with AIDS [2][3][4][5][6] as well as in immunocompromised patients without concomitant HIV infection, for example in lymphoma [8], metastatic renal adenocarcinoma [9] and kala-azar [10]. It may suggest that HIV itself is not the cause of such a manifestation.…”

“…Acquired hypertrichosis of the eyelashes, also known as trichomegaly, has been described in patients with immunodeficiency states such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, cancer and immunosuppressive drug usage [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. We describe a rare case of SLE in which there was hypertrichosis of the eyelashes as part of the initial manifestation of the disease.…”

A case of familial trichomegaly in association with oculocutaneous albinism type 1

“…These include malnutrition, use of various medications, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, porphyria, anorexia nervosa, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, dermatomyositis, and pretibial myxoedema. 4,5 Congenital trichomegaly has been reported as a part of many syndromes. Oliver-McFarlane syndrome describes congenital trichomegaly in association with pigmentary retinal degeneration, dwarfism, and mental retardation.…”