Background: Oral lesions have been reported to be early clinical features of HIV infection.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of oral lesions in HIV Seropositive patients and the correlation of CD4 count with the appearance of oral lesions in the patients attending Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Methods: A prospective study was undertaken in 114 newly diagnosed
adult HIV infected patients (not on antiretroviral therapy), who attended the
PEPFAR clinic at LUTH. They were assessed for oral lesions which were evaluated
using EEC/WHO – Classification on the diagnostic criteria for oral lesions in HIV.
Data were collected using an interviewer
administered questionnaire. Following Oral examination undertaken, oral lesions
were detected, recorded and treated. CD4+ values were evaluated from blood
samples of patient at initial presentation and 3 months later.
Results: From 114 patients who enrolled into the study, 49(43.0%) were males, 65(57.0%) were females, and their ages ranged from 18-63 years. From 42 (36.8%) patients that presented with oral lesions, 19 (45.2%) had multiple lesions. Oral Candidiasis accounted for 73.8% particularly the Pseudomembraneous variant, which was the most common oral lesion observed. Oral Hairy Leukoplakia and Oral Hyper pigmentation were respectively the second and third most frequently observed oral lesions.. High prevalence of oral lesions was seen in patients with low CD4+ count and high viral load. Following 3 months of HAART, 84% of oral lesions disappeared and CD4+ count was significantly increased by an average of 232%.
Conclusion: Oral lesions are common features of HIV and were seen more in patients with low CD4 count and high viral load.