Page 13 - SC1Q 2020

identity” is the sense of being a man systemic chemotherapy for severe procedures in patients affected by HIV
or a woman. “Transgender” is used disease. should be practiced .
when the sex assigned at birth does
not correspond with their gender The subtle signs of leprosy and HIV The learnings from this CME highlighted
identity, while “cisgender” is when were deciphered in a patient who was the essential role of dermatologists
the two aspects align. The importance found to have coinfection, an unusual in the control of Leprosy and HIV, two
of non-verbal communication was occurrence with only few reports diseases that continue to affect public
emphasized, and the participants globally. Although persons affected health. As the DERMAUTHORITY, we
were reminded to conduct a thorough with HIV are immunocompromised, are instrumental in the fight against the
physical examination including sensitive existing reports do not find their HIV stigma that plagues these infectious
areas that may not be part of the chief disease activity to be correlated to diseases.
complaint, such as the perianal area the severity of leprosy. The immune
and inguinal lymph nodes. This was reconstitution syndrome (IRIS) as
followed by an important lecture on HIV response to antiretroviral therapy may
and dermatology since 80-90% of HIV cause lepromatous reactions which
patients present with cutaneous signs. are managed with Prednisone to
Kaposi Sarcoma this being the most prevent neuritis and motor damage.
common HIV-associated malignancy A lecture from an infectious specialist
was appropriately highlighted because highlighted the need to ensure
of the dermatologist’s important role adherence to antiretroviral therapy
in its recognition. Beyond the skin to prevent resistance to medications.
lesions, symptoms such as persistent It was emphasized that although no
cough or gastrointestinal bleeding cure has been established for HIV,
which implicate visceral involvement treatment is important to control the
should warrant further workup. WHO virus and prevent onward transmission
guidelines recommend Highly active and spread of the disease. Standard
antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for mild precautions using personal protective
and moderate disease and HAART with equipment when doing dermatologic Gertrude P. Chan, MD, MSc., FPDS talks about
Leprosy and HIV Co-infection

Ma. Teresita G. Gabriel, MD,
FPDS, head of the Leprosy
Subspecialty Core Group of
the Philippine Dermatological
Society, talks about
Inoculation Leprosy

Emmerson S. Vista, MD, FPDS (top) and
Gilbert C. Yang, MD, FPDS (bottom) from the
STI Subspecialty Core Group of the Philippine
Dermatological Society share clinical pearls
in the approach to and management of
secually transmitted infections
The Consultants and Residents of the East Avenue Medical Center, Department of Dermatology

Volume 16 Number 66 • SC1Q 2020 • 13