Prevalence and Characteristics of Fungal Dermatoses in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Patients: A Comparative Study of Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy-Experienced and Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy-Naïve Individuals in Benin City, Nigeria

Background: Globally, over 37.9 million people are living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWHA), with significant proportion developing cutaneous manifestations. Fungal dermatoses are common in PLWHA; their prevalence largely influenced by the immunosuppression caused by the virus. The introduction of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) has changed the epidemiology of these infections. However, there is limited data on how HAART impacts the prevalence and patterns of fungal dermatoses in PLWHA. This study investigates the effect of HAART on the prevalence and severity of fungal dermatoses in PLWHA. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin city, Nigeria, involving 150 HAART-experienced and 150 HAART-naïve patients. Prevalence and severity of fungal dermatoses were assessed through clinical examination and laboratory investigations. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25, with significance set at P < 0.05. Results: Mean age of HAART-experienced group was 45.02 ± 11.23 years, while the HAART-naïve group had 42.62 ± 12.22 years. There was statistically significant difference in the CD4 count ( χ ² = 77.99, P < 0.0001) and prevalence of fungal dermatoses ( χ ² = 5.47, P < 0.02) between the two groups; with 14% of the HAART-experienced group and 24.6% of the HAART-naïve group affected. Additionally, severity of fungal dermatoses was significantly lower in the HAART-experienced group, with fewer cases of severe infection (23.8% vs. 54.1%, P < 0.02). Conclusion: HAART reduces the prevalence and severity of fungal dermatoses in HIV-infected patients, likely due to improved immune function. This highlights the benefits of HAART in managing HIV-related fungal infections and underscores the importance of early initiation of therapy.