A Case Report of the First CEA Transplant in an HIV-Positive Burn Patient in South Africa Using a Novel Composite Culture Technique

Abstract Resource-limited burn centers are usually devoid of cultured epithelial autografts (CEA) owing largely to prohibitive costs. A modified CEA technique at our burn center incorporated cost-effective, routinely-used dressings with favorable outcomes. One unknown concern was the immunosuppressive effect that extensive burns and potentially human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection may have on graft take. This case study reports on the graft take outcomes of the first CEA transplanted in an HIV-positive patient with extensive burns in South Africa, using this technique. Graft take was determined after 21 days at 80% and a long-term follow-up of 8 years indicated good pigmentation return and skin pliability. Delayed diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum caused partial graft loss; however, successful regrafting occurred after pyoderma gangrenosum treatment and eradication. The case was considered clinically successful. HIV may not directly affect graft take, but may result in immunosuppressive conditions that delay graft take success.