Case-controlled study of skin conditions in HIV-negative men who have sex with men

Most of the dermatological research in men who have sex with men (MSM) has been in the HIV-infected subpopulation. A retrospective case-control study was performed of dermatologic diagnoses in HIV-negative MSM (n = 329) compared with male heterosexual controls (n = 600). HIV-negative MSM had a higher frequency of folliculitis (19/329 vs 12/600; P = 0.004), cutaneous herpes simplex infection (19/329 vs 14/600; P = 0.009), non-melanoma skin cancer (16/329 vs 10/600; P = 0.006) and syphilis (8/329 vs 2/600; P = 0.005) than the control group. The findings suggest that HIV-negative MSM may have a higher burden of certain skin conditions and this appears to be independent of immunosuppression or sexual behaviours.