Prevalence of HIV seropositivity among patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of HIV seropositivity among patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva.

Methods: All patients with clinical and histopathological confirmation of squamous cell carcinoma seen during a ten year period (July 1999 to June 2009) were tested for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). The number of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva who are HIV positive were counted.

Results: A total of thirty-three (33) eyes in thirty-two (32) patients were confirmed histopathologically to have conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma. Their ages ranged from 22 years to 66 years with a mean age of (38.6 ± 11.8) years (SD). The male to female ratio was 1:1.5. Twenty four (75%) of these patients were HIV positive.

Conclusions: Squamous cell carcinoma is associated with the human immunodeficiency virus and is thus a marker for the disease in Benin City, Nigeria.