Human immunodeficiency virus-associated vitiligo: expression of autoimmunity with immunodeficiency?

Persistent viral infections have been postulated to be trigger factors for the development of autoimmune disease. We report the development of vitiligo in four patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related conditions and in one patient with hepatitis who later developed both psoriasis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Other common features were hepatitis and multiple other viral infections. Ribavirin was associated with repigmentation in one patient. Vitiligo may be an example of an autoimmune disease triggered by viral infection in a genetically predisposed host.