Labial cytomegalovirus infection in a patient infected with HIV-1

In patients infected with the type 1-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), the cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection occurs mainly in advanced stages of the disease, especially when the CD4+ T-cell count in under 100 cells/millilitre, which accelerates the progression to AIDS and increases the risk of death. The retina compromise is the most frequent manifestation of the CMV infection associated to HIV-1. Other manifestations include peripheral polyradiculopathy, encephalopathy, and gastrointestinal compromise. Pneumonitis is rarely observed. In addition, this coinfection can be presented as a fatal disease associated with high and persistent viremia and severe compromise of several organs. The cutaneous CMV infection is a very rare manifestation in HIV-1-infected patients, which is observed when the CD4+ T-cell count is under 50 cells/millilitre, and course with chronic skin and mucosal ulcers. We present the clinic and immunological characteristics of an HIV-1-infected individual with a CMV cutaneous infection, making a comprehensive review of literature published.