Gingival ulceration in HIV infection

Abstract. All cases of HIV-associated gingival ulceration seen at a dedicated dental clinic in a 5-ycar period were reviewed and compared against other patients attending the clinic. 94 (7.1%) of 1308 patients had 146 episodes of gingival ulceration. 89 patients had 140 episodes similar to acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG) and responded well to conventional treatment for ANUG. The cases were compared with 269 controls in logistic regression. Gingival ulceration was associated with oral candidiasis, lower age and lack of AIDS diagnosis possibly due to a protective effect of co-trimoxazole medication. 5 patients with neutropenia had extensive ulceration without the microflora of ANUG. Histopathology, viral and bacterial culture revealed non-specific changes. The ulcers did not respond to the treatment regimen for ANUG but responded to treatment of their neutropenia. Gingival ulceration is not common in HIV infection. Most cases resemble severe ANUG. It is more frequent in younger people, those with oral candidiasis and without AIDS. Co-trimoxazole may be protective. A minority of cases with ulceration and associated neutropenia resembled the non-specific oral ulceration associated with HIV.     

HIV感染者和AIDS患者口腔非特异性溃疡

目的:口腔非特异性(NOS)溃疡是一类与H IV感染有关的口腔病变,其临床表现不同于常见口腔溃疡。通过对NOS口腔溃疡临床特征的分析,为临床医师提供鉴别诊断。方法:回顾性分析72例H IV/AIDS患者,NOS口腔溃疡有3例,探讨其临床特征并与复发性阿弗他溃疡、单纯疱疹性口炎进行比较,探讨其发病机制。结果:NOS口腔溃疡的好发部位为软腭、口咽及舌腭弓处,常为1~2个,病程较长,CD4 细胞明显减少,多伴发白色念珠菌感染。结论:NOS口腔溃疡的发病部位、病程与预后较为特殊,与AIDS的病程进展有一定的联系。     

Group II and III lesions in HIV positive Nigerians attending the General Hospital Lagos, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To document the prevalence of Group II and Ill oral lesions of HIV in adult seropositive Nigerians. STUDY DESIGN: A longitudinal study of 100 HIV infected adult Nigerian patients attending the HIV Clinic of the General Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. STUDY PERIOD: January 2001 to October 2002. METHOD: Oral lesions were diagnosed based on documented diagnostic criteria by GREENSPAN et al, for oral manifestation of HIV. WHO classification of oral lesions based on the degree of association with HIV infection was also used. Oral lesions were treated using established treatment protocols. RESULTS: Seventy patients had oral lesions of HIV, of these fourteen (20%) patients had Group II and III oral lesions of HIV infection: Five (7%) patients had recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU), 4 (6%) had herpes zoster of the trigeminal nerve. Majority of patients presented with oral symptoms severe enough to require use of appropriate medication. Recurrence of oral lesions occurred in all cases of RAU seen. CONCLUSION: Group II and III lesions are less prevalent than group I lesions in HIV infected adult Nigerians. They may be the presenting oral lesions of HIV/AIDS. These oral lesions of HIV are associated with a lot of pain, morbidity and may also compromise aesthetics. By compromising adequate nutrition and practice of good oral hygiene, they may lead to further deterioration of the health of the patient and can accelerate the course of the disease. Early recognition and diagnosis of these lesions by the oral clinician and/or trained dental practitioner affords the patient the opportunity of receiving prompt and appropriate medical treatment as well as counseling.     

Oral manifestations associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection in a Spanish population

A study was made of the oral manifestations in 396 patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The following risk groups were established: intravenous drug users (79.5%), homosexuals (7.8%), homosexual intravenous drug users (3.3%). heterosexuals (8.1%) and hemophiliacs/transfusion patients (1.3%). The oral lesions, in decreasing order of frequency, were: periodontal disease (78.28%). candidiasis (65.65%). hairy leukoplakia (16.16%). herpes simplex virus lesions (5.30%), Kaposi's sarcoma (2.27%), recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAS) (1.01%), lichen planus (0.5%), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (0.25%). tuberculous lesion of the tongue (0.25%) and ulcerations of uncertain etiology (0.25%). Attention is drawn to the greater predominance of these lesions in patients with CD4 values of less than 200/mm³, compared with those who have higher lymphocyte counts.     

广西地区64例人免疫缺陷病毒感染及艾滋病感染患者口腔病损的临床观察

目的　了解广西人免疫缺陷病毒感染及艾滋病感染(HIV/AIDS)患者口腔病损状况,为我国HIV/AIDS人群口腔疾病的防治提供依据。方法　以经广西区疾病控制中心确诊为HIV/AIDS患者64例为调查对象,由专业人员采集病史,进行口腔专科检查,并将详细记录的结果与世界卫生组织艾滋病感染口腔表征协作中心制定的艾滋病口腔表征分类及诊断标准相比较。结果　64名HIV/AIDS患者,年龄范围为5月~64岁,平均年龄36·1岁,其中男53人,女11人。48名有口腔主诉,以口干、疼痛、吞咽困难为主;口腔表现为口腔念珠菌病39例、口干症20例、口腔溃疡11例、艾滋病相关的牙周病7例、单纯疱疹病毒感染口炎6例、带状疱疹3例、口腔毛状白斑2例、卡波济肉瘤和淋巴节炎各1例。结论　口腔念珠菌病是HIV/AIDS患者最常见的口腔表征,多数患者伴有口干、唾液分泌减少。口腔溃疡患病率与正常群体相比没有提高,但是溃疡严重程度增加。提示HIV/AIDS患者常伴有口腔表征, 并且部分口腔表征出现较早。     

Aetiological factors for oral manifestations of HIV

OBJECTIVES: Describe the oral diseases in HIV-infected individuals in London, UK and identify social and medical factors related to the presence of specific oral diseases.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional analytic study.
SETTING: Dental clinics.
SUBJECTS: Consecutive sample of 456 patients with HIV infection.
METHODS: Social and medical history and clinical examinations. Univariate and logistic regression analysis.
OUTCOMES: Presence of HIV-associated oral disease.
RESULTS: 80% of patients with AIDS and 50% of patients with HIV had a specific oral disease. The most common diseases were hairy leukoplakia (30%), erythematous candidiasis (24%), pseudomembranous candidiasis (14%), angular chielitis (6%), necrotising periodontal disease (8%) and non-recurrent ulceration (6%).
CONCLUSIONS: The presence of erythematous candidiasis was not related to advanced HIV disease. Pseudomembranous candidiasis, hairy leukoplakia and mucosal ulceration were significantly associated with advanced HIV disease. Smoking was also identified as a strong aetiological factor in oral diseases. Longitudinal studies are required to further explore the prognostic significance of oral diseases in HIV infection.     

Association of cutaneous and oral diseases in HIV-infected men

OBJECTIVES: Mucocutaneous diseases are common in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). To identify cutaneous diseases for which HIV-infected people are at high risk, we sought those that are strongly associated with specific HIV-related oral lesions and with progression of HIV disease.
DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of HIV-positive outpatients referred to a university stomatology clinic for diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases. Each subject underwent both complete oral and cutaneous examinations.
RESULTS: Among 55 men, with a median age of 41 years and a median CD4 cell count of 125/ju.l (range 0–950/pil), 93% had active oral diseases or conditions, including candidiasis, hairy leukoplakia, ulcers, Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), and xerostomia, and 95% had skin conditions, including onychomycosis, dermatophytosis, seborrheic dermatitis, KS, folliculitis, xerosis, and molluscum contagiosum. Seborrheic dermatitis, xerosis, skin KS, and molluscum contagiosum were associated with oral HIV-sentinel lesions (oral candidiasis, hairy leukoplakia, and KS), with low CD4 cell counts, and with AIDS.
CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that xerosis and seborrheic dermatitis may be early harbingers of HIV disease progression. Their roles as predictors warrant further study, based on their associations with low CD4 cell counts and AIDS and strong co-prevalence with one of the most common HIV-related oral lesions, oral candidiasis.     

Recurrent oral ulceration: Etiology,classification, management,and diagnostic algorithm

Recurrent oral ulcerations are manifestations of a heterogeneous set of both general and more‐or‐less specific oral diseases due to numerous potential etiologies, including, but not limited to, infections, medications, autoimmune disease, and other systemic disease. This review discusses the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of the common causes of recurrent oral ulceration. The following types/etiologies of recurrent oral ulceration are covered: traumatic ulceration, chemical ulceration, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, medication‐related ulceration, infectious ulceration, mucocutaneous disease, and autoimmune/systemic disease. A diagnostic algorithm for recurrent oral ulceration is also presented.     

Is erythematous candidiasis associated with advanced HIV disease?

OBJECTIVES: A multicentre collaborative study by the London HIV and Dentistry Group failed to associate the presence of erythematous candidiasis (EC) with advanced HIV disease. Data from a study of the periodontal health of homosexual men attending a genito-urinary medicine clinic presented an opportunity to investigate social and medical factors related to the presence of EC and mucosal disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 312 men with HIV were examined by a single examiner blinded to HIV status; 22.8% had an indicator condition for AIDS; 37.8% had CD4 lymphocyte counts less than 200 cells mm^?3; and 53.8% met the 1993 case definition for AIDS; 59.6% of the men with HIV had oral manifestations of the infection. The most common were: oral hairy leukoplakia, 44.2%; EC, 26.9%; and pseudomembranous candidiasis (PC), 11.5%. RESULTS: Advanced HIV disease was a less powerful predictor of EC than PC. Advanced HIV disease also predicted the presence of hairy leukoplakia and mucosal ulceration. EC was strongly associated with tobacco use. CONCLUSIONS: While methodological differences explain some variation with previous research, these data also suggest that EC and PC may not carry the same prognostic significance and longitudinal studies are required to confirm these findings.     

Oral ulceration in HIV infection: Investigation and pathogenesis

Oral ulcerations associated with HIV infection include recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU). Whereas RAU prevalence is not increased, lesion severity is: among a group of HIV⁺ patients, 66% had the more severe herpetiform or major RAU. This increased severity suggests that HIV disease-related changes in the immune system may exacerbate RAU. In the peripheral blood of healthy subjects with RAU, CD4:CD8 cell ratios may be reversed and the proportion of T cell receptor-γδ⁺ cells increased. HIV disease-related immune system changes are characterized by reversed CD4:CD8, lowered CD4 cell counts and an inverse correlation between CD4 cell counts and per cent activated γδ lymphocytes. Adhesion molecules and cytokines involved in lymphocyte homing may be important in RAU pathogenesis: ICAM-I and ELAM are strongly expressed, and TNFα production is increased in peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy patients with RAU. In patients with active HIV disease/AIDS, serum TNFα levels are increased. Thalidomide, which inhibits TNFα production, is effective treatment for RAU. Some RAU patients have vitamin B12 or folate deficiencies, levels of which are commonly low in HIV⁺/AIDS patients. However, in a case control study of HIV⁺ patients, vitamin B12- or folate-deficiencies were not found to be significant risk factors for RAU.     

HIV/TB co-infection: literature review and report of multiple tuberculosis oral ulcers.

Human immunodeficiency virus/tuberculosis (HIV/TB) co-infected subjects demonstrate enhanced HIV replication and plasma viremia; CD4+ T-cell depletion; morbidity and mortality; and susceptibility to secondary bacterial and fungal infections compared to subjects solely infected with HIV. As the incidence of HIV/TB infection has been increasing, one would have expected to encounter oral lesions of tuberculosis more frequently. However, such oral lesions are uncommon. The lesions usually occur as ulcerations of the tongue. We report an additional case in an HIV/TB co-infected 39 year-old black male, who presented with chronic, painless, multiple oral ulcers, occurring simultaneously on the tongue, bilaterally on the palate and mucosa of the alveolar ridge. Microscopic examination confirmed the presence of chronic necrotizing granulomatous inflammation, with the identification of acid fast bacilli in the affected oral mucosal tissue. Anti-retroviral and anti-tuberculous treatment resulted in the resolution of the oral lesions. Confirmatory histopathological diagnosis following a biopsy is essential to determine the exact nature of chronic oral ulceration in an HIV individual and especially to distinguish between oral squamous cell carcimoma, lymphoma, infection (bacterial or fungal) and non-specific or aphthous type ulceration.     

The severity, extent and recurrence of necrotizing periodontal disease in relation to HIV status and CD4+ T cell count

South Africa ranks among the three countries with the highest prevalence of HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated 29.5% of women attending antenatal clinics being infected. Necrotizing periodontal disease is a well recognized HIV-associated oral condition. The objective of this investigation was to determine a possible correlation between the extent, severity and treatment outcome of necrotizing periodontal disease in relation to a person's HIV status and CD4+ T cell count. Data from 105 consecutive patients presenting with necrotizing periodontal disease at an academic oral health centre in South Africa were analysed. All patients were provided with an opportunity to undergo voluntary counseling and testing for HIV infection, were treated for necrotizing periodontal disease and followed over a period of nine months. The mean age of the cohort was 28 years old (range 12 - 52). Of 98 (93.3%) patients unaware of their HIV serostatus at the initial visit, 59 (56.2%) consented to testing. In total 45 (42.9%) were HIV-seropositive with a mean CD4+ T cell count of 222.7 cells/microl and 14 (13.3%) were HIV-seronegative, with a significantly higher mean CD4+ T cell count of 830 cells/microl (Fisher's exact test, p < 0.001), while the status of 46 (43.8%) remained unknown. In 101 (96.2%) patients, > or = 5 tooth sites were affected, and in 27 (26%) > or = 4 mm of gingival tissue were affected. This study, which included HIV-seropositive, HIV-seronegative and persons of unknown HIV status, revealed no statistical evidence that HIV infection was associated with the extent, severity or relapse of necrotizing periodontal disease. No statistically significant association could be demonstrated between the extent, severity and recurrence of necrotizing periodontal disease and a CD4+ T cell count < or = 200 cells/microl among HIV-seropositive patients.     

HIV/AIDS患者口腔病损的临床特点分析

目的了解艾滋病相关口腔病损的临床特点及其与CD4计数和高效抗逆转病毒治疗（highly active antiretroviral therapy,HAART）之间的关系。方法回顾性研究2012~2013年在我院收治的109例HIV/AIDS患者的临床资料,包括流行病史、艾滋病临床阶段、口腔表现、全身症状、CD4计数、治疗及预后等,通过Excel建立数据库,进行统计学分析。结果 109例HIV/AIDS患者中48例出现艾滋病相关口腔病损,其中口腔念珠菌感染48例（44.03%）,以假膜型为主,口腔深大溃疡5例（4.59%）,卡波西肉瘤和淋巴瘤各2例（1.83%）,牙龈线型红斑、口腔单纯疱疹和口腔疣各1例（0.92%）。CD4〈200个/ul组口腔病损的发生率高于CD4≧200个/ul（P〈0.01）,HAART治疗组口腔病损的发生率低于未治疗组（P〈0.01）,差异有显著性。结论口腔是HIV/AIDS患者最常见的机会性感染部位。口腔病损中以假膜型口腔念珠菌病最常见,其次是口腔深大溃疡、口腔恶性肿瘤。卡波西肉瘤和淋巴瘤死亡率高,早期口腔表现易与淋巴结炎、牙龈炎混淆,应尽早进行病理检查,早期诊断。HIV/AIDS患者口腔病损的发生与CD4计数减少有关,HAART治疗能显著降低口腔病损的发生。     

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome: review

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is reviewed for dental practitioners, with an emphasis on oral findings; the clinical course, diagnosis, reporting, treatment, prognosis, transmission, and epidemiology are also covered. HIV infection has an incubation period that may be associated with glandular fever, a prodrome called AIDS-Related Complex (ARC) characterized by lymphadenopathy, low fever, weight loss, night sweats, diarrhea, oral candidosis, nonproductive cough and recurrent infections. AIDS is characterized by opportunistic infections. Over 50% present with pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, 21% with Kaposi's sarcoma, and 6% have both. The AIDS virus causes direct neurological symptoms in some cases. Oral candidosis (thrush) in a young male without a local cause such as xerostomia or immune suppression is strongly suggestive of AIDS. Other oral manifestations are severe herpes simplex, varicella-zoster, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, venereal warts, aphthous ulceration, mycobacterial oral ulcers, oral histoplasmosis, sinusitis and osteomyelitis of the jaw. Hairy leukoplakia, usually seen on the lateral border of the tongue, is probably caused by Epstein-Barr virus. Kaposi's sarcoma, an endothelial cell tumor, is characteristic of AIDS, and in 50% of patients is oral or perioral. Cervical lymph node enlargement will be seen in those with ARC as well as AIDS. No guidelines have been issued by the Department of Health and Social Security for dental surgeons in the UK for reporting AIDS cases. Although HIV virions have been isolated from saliva, there are no known incidents of transmission via saliva. HIV is less likely to be transmitted by needle stick injuries than, for example hepatitis B (25% risk), especially if the blood is from a carrier rather than a full blown AIDS case.     

Oral manifestations of HIV infection in relation to clinical and CD4 immunological status in northern and southern Thai patients

OBJECTIVES: To assess prevalence and variations in the oral manifestations of HIV in HIV-infected subjects in southern Thailand (a new HIV epidemic) and northern Thailand (a mature epidemic), and the association with age, sex, risk behaviours, CD4 count and medication used. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 102 and 135 HIV-infected individuals were enrolled in northern and southern hospitals, respectively. Oral and haematological examination was performed after sociodemographic interview of the patients. Clinical history was retrieved from patients' medical records. RESULTS: Oral candidiasis (OC, 55%), oral hairy leucoplakia (OHL, 21%) and HIV-associated-periodontal disease (14%) were among the most common oral lesions in southern Thailand. OHL (38%), OC (25%), HIV-associated-periodontal disease (15%) were the three most common lesions in the north. A significant association was found between any oral lesion, OC, particularly the pseudomembranous type (PC), and CD4 < 200 cells mm(-3) at both sites. A negative relationship was found between systemic antifungal treatment and OC including PC and erythematous candidiasis (EC) in the southern data. OHL showed a positive relationship with male sex and a negative relationship with antiretroviral treatment in the northern site. Younger age and being a current smoker were positively associated with oral lesions in the southern group. CONCLUSION: OC, particularly PC, could be useful as a marker for immunosuppression, particularly where CD4 count cannot be determined routinely. Antifungal treatment is of benefit in the subjects who cannot afford highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).     

Oral lesions and conditions associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection in 300 south Indian patients

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a major health problem in India. The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) of India reports a seropositivity of 25.03 per thousand for the whole country, as of October 1999. In spite of this high prevalence there are very few reports of oral lesions and conditions in Indian HIV/AIDS patients, which are important in early diagnosis and management of these patients. OBJECTIVE AND SETTING: The present report describes the oral lesions in 300 HIV positive symptomatic patients presenting to us at RAGAS-YRG CARE, a non-governmental organisation in Chennai, South India, over a period of 9 months in 1998. METHOD: Lesions were diagnosed on clinical appearance using international criteria. RESULTS: Of the 300 patients 89% had acquired the infection through heterosexual contact. There were 205 males and 95 females, aged from 7 months to 72 years. Forty-seven percent of the patients were in the age group 21-30 years. CD4 counts were ascertained for 105 patients, 64 (62%) had CD4 counts < or = 200. A total of 217 (72%) of the 300 patients had some oral lesion when examined. Gingivitis (47%) and pseudomembranous candidiasis (33%) were the most common oral lesions. The other oral lesions seen were oral mucosal pigmentation (23%), erythematous candidiasis (14%), periodontitis (9%), angular cheilitis (8%), oral ulcers (3%), oral hairy leukoplakia (3%), hyperplastic candidiasis (1%), oral submucous fibrosis (2%) and one case of leukoplakia. CONCLUSIONS: Oral lesions occur commonly in HIV infection. A comprehensive oral examination may not only suggest HIV disease but may also be useful in monitoring the disease progression. This is a cost-effective procedure, which may be useful in screening large populations in developing countries like India.     

Oral medicine in practice: oral ulceration

There are many causes of oral ulceration, but diagnosis should be relatively straightforward following an adequate history, examination and investigation. If the ulceration fails to respond to treatment, or has an unusual appearance, then an underlying systemic problem such as myeloproliferative disease or HIV infection has to be considered.     

Treatment of severe chronic oral erosive lesions with clobetasol propionate in aqueous solution

OBJECTIVE: We sought to analyze the results of topical treatment with a mouthwash of 0.05% clobetasol in aqueous solution in 30 patients with severe oral erosive lesions. STUDY DESIGN: Over a 48-week period, we evaluated the evolution of pain, ulcerations, atrophy, and interference of the disease in the patient's daily life, classifying the response as complete (100% remission/recovery), excellent (75%), good (50%), poor (<50%), or failed. RESULTS: The pain and ulceration totally disappeared in 93.3% of cases and 90% reported a full recovery in their daily life activities. Atrophy response was complete in 28.5%, excellent in 60.7%, and good in 3.5%. Two patients showed no response to the treatment. Five patients suffered mild adverse effects (moon face and hirsutism) between week 4 and week 6 of treatment, which were speedily reversed by reducing the frequency of mouthwash. CONCLUSIONS: Clobetasol mouthwash is a safe and efficacious option for the treatment of severe oral erosive lesions.     

Recurrent aphthous ulcers in association with HIV infection. Description of ulcer types and analysis of T-lymphocyte subsets.

This study was conducted to characterize the recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) found in association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, to examine evidence for increased severity of the ulcers with HIV disease, and to determine whether increased severity is associated with abnormalities of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets. Seventy-five HIV-seropositive patients with RAU were followed for up to 2 years, and lymphocyte subsets were analyzed in 42. Minor, herpetiform, and major ulcer types were seen, but unexpectedly, 66% of the patients had the usually uncommon herpetiform and major types. These types were temporally associated with symptomatic HIV disease. Patients with major RAU were significantly more immunosuppressed than those with minor or herpetiform RAU in that they had fewer CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes (p less than 0.05). The lesion of RAU is considered to represent a local breakdown in immunoregulation. The systemic immune imbalance seen with HIV disease may amplify the local defect and lead to more severe ulcers.     

A case of chronic severe neutropenia: Oral findings and consequences of short-term granulocyte colony-stimulating factor treatment

Neutropenia is an absolute decrease in the number of circulating neutrophils in the blood which results in susceptibility to severe pyogenic infections. Various oral findings such as periodontitis, alveolar bone loss and ulceration may be seen in neutropenic patients. A case is presented of a 6 year old girl with chronic, probably congenital, severe neutropenia with frequent respiratory tract infections, recurrent oral ulcerations and significant periodontal breakdown resembling prepubertal periodontitis. She was given granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment which resulted in an increase in granulocyte count within two weeks and resolution of the neutropenic ulceration. It is suggested that G-CSF together with dental care regimens is a promising treatment model in chronic severe neutropenia cases presenting with oral manifestations.