An unusual presentation of diffuse granuloma annulare in an HIV-positive patient - immunohistochemical evidence of predominant CD8 lymphocytes.

Over the past decade there have been several reports in the literature of atypical forms of granuloma annulare (GA) occurring in HIV positive patients. We now report a case of diffuse granuloma annulare in an HIV positive patient with unusual clinical and immunohistological features. Our patient presented with a persistent extensive macular erythematous eruption on his face and upper trunk with bizarre sparing around the nipples and axillae. The histology showed an interstitial pattern of GA, with a predominance of CD8 positive cells, in contrast to the usual CD4 positive infiltrate typically seen in GA.