A patient with AIDS may develop a cutaneous lymphoid infiltrate that may mimic Sezary Syndrome.
Clinical features of the pseudo-Sezary syndrome:
(1) The patient is HIV-positive with AIDS.
(2) The patient develops a generalized lichenoid eruption with erythroderma and photosensitivity.
(3) A skin biopsy shows an atypical lymphoid infiltrate.
(4) The lymphoid cells are T cells with a CD8 phenotype.
(5) The lymphoid cells lack T-cell receptor gene rearrangement.
(6) The atypical cells may circulate in the blood.
where:
• In Sezary syndrome the infiltrate is comprised of CD4-positive cells with a T-cell receptor gene rearrangement.
• Sezary syndrome may rarely involve CD8-positive lymphocytes (Willemze et al).
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Purpose: To evaluate a patient with AIDS for a pseudo-Sezary syndrome associated with CD8-positive T cells.
Specialty: Hematology Oncology, Dermatology
Objective: differential diagnosis and mimics, red flags
ICD-10: C84.1, B23.1,
