Bacillary angiomatosis in HIV-infected patients--an epidemiological and clinical study.

BACKGROUND: No data were available on the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of bacillary angiomatosis (BA) in Germany.

OBJECTIVE: To determine epidemiological and clinical data on HIV-associated BA.

METHODS: A chart review of all BA cases between 1990 and 1998 was performed in 23 German AIDS treatment units.

RESULTS: A total of 21 cases of BA was diagnosed. During this period, the participating HIV centers treated about 17,000 HIV-infected patients. As a result, a BA prevalence of 1.2 cases/1,000 patients can be assumed. 19 BA were localized in the skin; in 5 cases bones and in 4 cases the liver were involved. Out of 20 patients who received antibiotic therapy, 13 had complete remission. The median time of duration up to complete remission was 32 days (9-82). During the follow-up of the 20 patients, 7 relapses were observed.

CONCLUSION: BA is a rare HIV-associated disease with a prevalence of 1,2 cases/1,000 patients in the presented study.