Genital Ulcers in Women with HIV Proposed Revision on Management Algoritm

More than 100,000 people has been infected by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) in Indonesia. Mucocutaneous disorders occur in most patients with HIV during the course of the disease, it is caused by acquired immunodeficiency or the effects of the HIV therapy. One of the most important clinical manifestations is genital ulcers. A specific attention is needed to identify the clinical manifestations of genital ulcers in HIV patients to find the etiology so that the treatment of the case can be more appropriate. There are 4 cases of genital ulcers in women with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Both VDRL test (Venereal Disease Reseach Laboratory) and TPHA (Trepenoma pallidum Haemagglutination) test gave negative results. Two cases has successful therapy with acyclovir 400 mg three times for 2 weeks. Test results for herpes simplex antibodies is 2 positive. The incidence of genital ulcers, especially in the chronic form, increases along with the incidence of the growing AIDS epidemic. A prospective study in Paris shows that the most common cause of genital ulcers in patients with AIDS is syphilis. All of these four cases have negative results of VDRL and TPHA, so it is necessary to consider another diagnosis as the cause of genital ulcers in immunocompromised patients that often give atypical clinical symptoms. The accuracy of the diagnosis is necessary to provide adequate treatment, especially in immunocompromised patient.