Oral manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.
BACKGROUND
Oral lesions are among the earliest clinical manifestations of human immunodeficiency (HIV) infection and are important in early diagnosis and for monitoring the progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of oral lesions and their relationship with a number of factors in HIV/AIDS patients attending an HIV center.


METHODS
A total of 110 HIV-positive patients were examined to investigate the prevalence of oral lesions according to the criteria established by the European Community Clearing House on Oral Problems Related to HIV Infection. An independent T-test was used for correlation of oral lesions with CD4+ count and a χ2 test was used for analysis of the relationship of co-infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), sexual contact, route of transmission, history of drug abuse, and history of incarceration.


RESULTS
Most of the cases were male patients (82.7%). The mean age across all participants was 36.2±8.1 years. Rampant carries, severe periodontitis and oral candidiasis were the most notable oral lesions. Oral lesions were more prevalent in patients between 26-35 years of age. There was a significant difference between patients with and without pseudomembranous candidiasis and angular cheilitis according to mean level of CD4+.


CONCLUSIONS
The most common oral presentations were severe periodontitis, pseudomembranous candidiasis and xerostomia.
Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases Research Center, School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Atessa
A
Pakfetrat
Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases Research Center, School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Farnaz
F
Falaki
Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases Research Center, School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Zahra
Z
Delavarian
Dental Research Center, School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Zohreh
Z
Dalirsani
Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases Research Center, School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Majid
M
Sanatkhani
General Dentist, Mashhad, Iran.
Mahsa
M
Zabihi Marani
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; HIV; Oral manifestations