The importance of clinical features in differentiating HIV related from non-HIV related Kaposi's sarcoma: experience from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Abstract

HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is reported to be the most common tumor among people infected with HIV and accounts for significant morbidity and mortality. A study was conducted at Muhimbili Medical Center among consecutive patients presenting at the skin clinic or admitted to the surgical or medical wards during April-December 1992 and suspected to have KS. Patients completed a questionnaire, had venous blood samples and biopsies of the suspicion skin lesion taken, and were tested for infection with HIV. 81 adult patients with histologically proven KS were seen during the study period. Epidemic KS (EKS) was diagnosed in 72 patients of whom 49 were male, while African endemic Kaposi's sarcoma (AEKS) was diagnosed in nine patients of whom seven were male. No patient presented with classical KS. Compared to AEKS, EKS was more aggressive and disseminated in patients. The mean duration of illness for patients with AEKS was 37.3 months compared to 8.3 months for those with EKS. The presenting symptoms and past history of HIV-related illness were most pronounced among patients with EKS. Patients with EKS also demonstrated profound T4 lymphopenia and inverted T4:T8 ratio suggestive of advanced HIV infection.