Abstract/Text: Recognition and diagnosis of acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the primary care setting presents an opportunity for patient education and health promotion. Symptoms of acute HIV infection are nonspecific (e.g., fever, malaise, myalgias, rash), making misdiagnosis common. Because a wide range of conditions may produce similar symptoms, the diagnosis of acute HIV infection involves a high index of suspicion, a thorough assessment of HIV exposure risk, and appropriate HIV-related laboratory tests. HIV RNA viral load testing is the most useful diagnostic test for acute HIV infection because HIV antibody testing results are generally negative or indeterminate during acute HIV infection. After the diagnosis of acute HIV infection is confirmed, physicians should discuss effective transmission risk reduction strategies with patients. The decision to initiate antiretroviral therapy should be guided by consultation with an HIV specialist.

Abstract/Text: Twenty-two consecutive patients presenting with symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) seroconversion were studied. Most of the patients had a glandular fever-like illness. All patients had fever and pharyngitis, and eight of them also suffered from ulcers of the oral, genital or anal mucosa. Uniform skin eruptions were observed in 17 of the 22 patients. The exanthem consisted of varying numbers of macular or maculopapular lesions that were oval or rounded in shape, ranging from a few millimetres to 1 cm in diameter. The lesions were distributed on the upper thorax in all cases, and were particularly profuse in the collar region. The face, forehead and scalp were involved in most cases, but the eruption was sparse or absent at the periphery of the extremities. In the majority of patients, the exanthem appeared after 2 or 3 days of fever. The exanthem developed during the first day, persisted for 5-8 days, and then cleared concurrently with the general recovery of the patients. Histopathological studies of skin punch biopsy specimens from four patients showed a sparse lymphocytic cell infiltrate distributed around vessels of the dermal superficial plexus. The infiltrates predominantly consisted of equally represented T-helper/inducer and T-suppressor/cytotoxic cells. A vacuolar aberration of basal layer cells was found in two of the four cases studied histologically. The microscopic findings correspond to the histopathological patterns seen in toxicodermia and in the interface dermatitis of morbilliform viral exanthems. The exanthem is a frequent and characteristic sign of primary HIV infection, which is further indicated if mucosal ulcers are present.

Abstract/Text: PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review was to provide current data on clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of primary HIV infection (PHI).
RECENT FINDINGS: In 65 to 95% of cases, PHI causes acute retroviral syndrome presenting with unspecific flu-like symptoms. Symptomatic PHI was associated with a faster clinical and immunological progression of HIV infection. Point-of-care tests remain less sensitive than fourth-generation immunoassays (IA) in PHI, especially after tenofovir-based prophylaxis use. Early antiretroviral treatment (ART) started during PHI prevents HIV transmission and decreases viral and immunological reservoir constitution. Recommended ART regimens in PHI are combinations of tenofovir and emtricitabine with either darunavir/ritonavir, or dolutegravir. Starting ART the earliest is highly recommended for clinical, virological, immunological, and public health benefits. Reducing HIV reservoir constitution in PHI may optimize potential opportunities for future functional cure.