Oral hairy leukoplakia in a HIV-negative renal transplant patient: a marker for immunosuppression?
We report the case of a 58-year-old renal transplant patient who developed oral hairy leukoplakia. Examination for HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection was negative. Biopsy of the lateral tongue showed ballooned prickle cells and electron microscopy revealed herpes-type viruses. In situ hybridization and examinations with the Southern blot technique yielded Epstein-Barr virus. Serology for Epstein-Barr virus was reactive. Immunological investigation of the patient showed a marked decrease of T-helper and T-suppressor cells as the result of immunosuppressive regimen. Oral hairy leukoplakia may be a marker for severe immunosuppression but is not necessarily associated with HIV infection.
Itin
P
P
Department of Dermatology, University of Basel, Switzerland.
Rufli
T
T
Rüdlinger
R
R
Cathomas
G
G
Huser
B
B
Podvinec
M
M
Gudat
F
F
D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*