Epidemiological, Clinical, Etiological and Therapeutic Study of Drug eruption in HIV-infected patients in the two Accompaniment Care Unit and Advice of Bamako, Mali

Background: The increase in prescriptions of antiretrovirals (ARVs) implies the increasing occurrence of side effects, including skin manifestations. The objective of this work was to identify the epidemiological and therapeutic aspects of drug eruptions during ARV treatment in the support and counseling units (SCU) of commune IV of the district of Bamako. Material and methods: In a documentary study, the data of patients living with HIV (PLHIV) followed in the SCUs between January 2008 and December 2010, i.e. 3 years, in strict respect of their confidentiality were collected. Parameters of interest included epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic characteristics. Results: The frequency of drug eruptions was 2.85% of cases, ie 50 patients out of 1748 PLWHA. Women accounted for 76% of cases with a sex ratio of 0.32. The mean age was 30.8 ± 11.46 years with extremes ranging from 5 to 60 years. PLHIV were in WHO clinical stage III, or 48% of cases. The mean time to onset of drug eruption was 23.5 ± 17.7 days. Common clinical manifestations were pruritus (24%), rash (22%) and Lyell’s syndrome (12%). 96% of patients (48 cases) were on ARVs, of which 78% were on nevirapine and 14% on efavirenz. The treatment was symptomatic. Conclusion: Antiretrovirals are sources of drug eruption despite their benefits in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. Rigorous monitoring is essential to prevent these harmful effects.