Kaposi Sarcoma: A Forgotten Complication in Well-Controlled HIV

Abstract

Kaposi sarcoma (KS), often described as one of the AIDS-defining illnesses, has decreased in prevalence with the widespread use of antiretroviral therapy (ART). This case series includes an atypical presentation of KS in 2 patients with well-controlled HIV and a brief review of the literature on KS. Both patients had multiple cutaneous discolored plaques and ulceration with pathology confirmation of KS. They had normal CD4 counts and undetectable HIV and human herpesvirus-8 viral loads at the time of diagnosis. Therefore, patients with HIV with new skin lesions should be screened for KS regardless of the CD4 count or adherence to ART.