Skin and soft tissue infections among HIV-infected persons in the late combination antiretroviral therapy era

Int J STD AIDS. 2012 Jul;23(7):507-11. doi: 10.1258/ijsa.2011.011360.

Abstract

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) occur at higher rates among HIV-infected persons, but current trends and risk factors are largely undefined. We evaluated SSTIs among a prospective cohort of HIV-infected persons during the late combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) era (2006-2010). Of the 1918 HIV-infected persons evaluated, 379 (20%) developed an SSTI during a median of 3.7 years of follow-up; of these, 118 (31%) developed at least one recurrent SSTI. The incidence rate of SSTIs was 101 (95% confidence interval [CI] 93-109) cases per 1000 person-years, and rates did not significantly change during the study period. Compared with not receiving cART and having an HIV RNA level >1000 copies/mL, patients receiving cART with an HIV RNA level <1000 copies/mL had a reduced risk of an SSTI (hazard ratio 0.64, 95% CI 0.48-0.86, P < 0.01). In summary, initial and recurrent SSTIs are common among HIV-infected persons, and HIV control is associated with a lower risk of SSTIs.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Military Personnel / statistics & numerical data
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / epidemiology
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / virology*
  • Soft Tissue Infections / epidemiology
  • Soft Tissue Infections / virology*
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents