Mode of HIV transmission associated with risk of oral lesions in HIV-infected subjects in Thailand.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine if route of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission is associated with the risk of oral lesions in HIV-infected subjects in Thailand.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was performed in 186 HIV-infected heterosexuals (aged 21-65 years, mean 32 years), and 82 HIV-infected intravenous drug users (IVDUs) (aged 16-50 years, mean 30 years). The following information was recorded: route of HIV transmission, total lymphocyte cell counts, weight, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, medications, presence of denture, plaque index, and presence of oral lesions. The association between mode of HIV transmission and the risk of oral lesions among the subjects was determined by multiple logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Oral lesions were found in 138 HIV-infected heterosexuals (75%) and in 37 HIV-infected IVDUs (46%). Oral candidiasis (OC) was the most common lesion among both groups (44% vs. 28%), followed by hairy leukoplakia (HL) (33% vs. 10%). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between mode of HIV transmission and the risk of oral lesions after controlling for the total lymphocyte cell counts and other confounding factors [OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.5-6.4; P = 0.002]. OC was significantly associated with heterosexual route of HIV transmission [OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.2-4.7; P = 0.014]. Similar association was also observed with HL [OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.5-9.1; P = 0.004].


CONCLUSIONS
Mode of HIV transmission is associated with the risk of oral lesions in HIV-infected subjects in Thailand. Further studies should be performed to determine if the risk of oral lesions is associated with differences in HIV-subtypes.
Nittayananta
W
W
Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand. wipawee.ni@psu.ac.th
Chanowanna
N
N
Winn
T
T
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001835:Body Weight; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000150:complications; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003778:Dentures; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D017733:Leukoplakia, Hairy / Q000150:complications; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D013785:Thailand; D055815:Young Adult
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents