Presence of herpes simplex virus on the oral mucosa in patients undergoing chemotherapy

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to confirm the presence of herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 on the oral mucosa, in patients undergoing chemotherapy, by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS: The research was carried out on 40 patients receiving chemotherapy as treatment for different malignancies. The status of oral mucosa and viral presence were assessed in all patients at the initial examination (prior to chemotherapy), and at the control examination (two weeks after the initiation of the chemotherapeutic cycle). RESULTS: The presence of HSV-1 was detected in 28 patients (70%) prior to chemotherapy, of whom 7 (25%) manifested oral complications. The control examination showed the presence of HSV-1 in 35 patients (87.5%), of whom 23 (65.7%) presented oral mucosa changes. HSV-2 has not been detected in any of the patients.