Salivary gland disease in human immunodeficiency virus-positive women from the WIHS study. Women's Interagency HIV Study

Oral and maxillofacial manifestations of human immunodefficiency virus infection

Oral manifestations occur at all stages of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Their clinical expressions and severity depend on the evolution of the infection and become critical at the stage of acquired immunodeficiency (AIDS). They are essentially infectious, tumoral, and, starting a few years ago, iatrogenic. Infections are mostly fungal (candidiasis), viral (herpes, zoster, human papillomavirus infections, etc.), and less frequently bacterial (streptococcemia). Cases of sexually transmitted diseases, particularly syphilis, are multiplying preoccupyingly. The most frequently observed tumors are Kaposi's sarcoma. Drug intolerance is common; the symptoms are mostly dermatological, but also oral (Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis) when sulfonamides and certain antiretrovirals are used. The advent of prolonged Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapies (HAARTs) has led to a decline in the incidence of most opportunistic conditions, infections and tumors (except for multiple oral warts and zoster). HAARTs also provoke adverse reactions such as lipodystrophy syndromes (signs of peripheral atrophy and central hypertrophy, associated in varying degrees with metabolic syndromes). Extended survival and the new methods for prophylaxis of opportunistic infections have gradually modified diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for oral manifestations of HIV infections.

Incidence of Oral Lesions in HIV-1-infected Women: Reduction with HAART

Few studies assess the effectiveness of HAART on reducing the incidence and recurrence of oral lesions. We investigated such changes among 503 HIV+ women over six years in the Women’s Interagency HIV Study. The incidence of erythematous candidiasis (EC), pseudomembranous candidiasis (PC), hairy leukoplakia (HL), and warts was computed over follow-up visits after HAART initiation compared with before HAART initiation. Analysis of our data demonstrates a strong decrease in candidiasis after HAART initiation. The incidence of EC fell to 2.99% from 5.48% (RR 0.545); PC fell to 2.85% from 6.70% (RR 0.425); and EC or PC fell to 3.43% from 7.35% (RR 0.466). No changes were seen in HL or warts. Higher HIV-RNA was associated with greater incidence of candidiasis and HL, but not warts. Analysis of these data indicates that recurrence and incidence of candidiasis are reduced by HAART, and that recurrence is reduced independently of CD4 and HIV-RNA.

Benign lymphoepithelial cysts of parotid and submandibular glands in a HIV-positive patient

Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have been reported to have parotid swellings of various types such as diffuse infiltrative lymphocytosis syndrome, parotitis, intraparotid lymphadenopathy, benign lymphoepithelial cyst (BLEC), as well as salivary gland neoplasms such as adenoid cystic carcinoma, Kaposi sarcoma and lymphoma. LECs in the parotid gland are uncommon benign entities with increased incidence associated with HIV infection. We are presenting a case of 28-year-old HIV-positive patient with BLECs in the parotid and submandibular glands.

Oral mucocele/ranula: Another human immunodeficiency virus-related salivary gland disease?

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

To describe clinical characteristics of oral mucoceles/ranulas, with a focus on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related salivary gland diseases.

STUDY DESIGN

A descriptive and clinical study, with review of patient data.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We reviewed 113 referred cases of oral mucocele. The following anatomical sites were identified: lip, tongue, and floor of the mouth (simple ranulas), as well as plunging ranulas. The age and gender data of the patients with oral mucoceles were recorded. The HIV status of the patients and other information were reviewed.

RESULTS

There were 30 (26.5%) males and 83 (73.5%) females. Most patients were below 30 years of age, with the peak frequency in the first and second decade. Ranula (simple and plunging) represented 84.1% of the mucocele locations. Mucocele on the lips represented 10.6%. Seventy-two (63.7%) patients were HIV positive; and 97.2% of them had ranulas. Thirty-eight (33.6%) patients presented with plunging ranulas; and 92.1% of them were HIV positive, compared with two patients presenting with plunging ranulas in the HIV-negative group. These results strongly suggest that an HIV-positive patient is statistically (P < 0.001) more at risk of presenting with not only a simple, but also a plunging ranula type.

CONCLUSION

This study presents a different clinical picture of oral mucoceles/ranulas, as observed in HIV-positive patients. Additionally, it suggests a possible clinical link between the two pathologies. The authors strongly support the suggestion that oral mucocele/ranula is an HIV-related salivary gland disease.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

HIV infection affects Streptococcus mutans levels, but not genotypes

We report a clinical study that examines whether HIV infection affects Streptococcus mutans colonization in the oral cavity. Whole stimulated saliva samples were collected from 46 HIV-seropositive individuals and 69 HIV-seronegative control individuals. The level of S. mutans colonization was determined by conventional culture methods. The genotype of S. mutans was compared between 10 HIV-positive individuals before and after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and 10 non-HIV-infected control individuals. The results were analyzed against viral load, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell counts, salivary flow rate, and caries status. We observed that S. mutans levels were higher in HIV-infected individuals than in the non-HIV-infected control individuals (p = 0.013). No significant differences in S. mutans genotypes were found between the two groups over the six-month study period, even after HAART. There was a bivariate linear relationship between S. mutans levels and CD8+ counts (r = 0.412; p = 0.007), but not between S. mutans levels and either CD4+ counts or viral load. Furthermore, compared with non-HIV-infected control individuals, HIV-infected individuals experienced lower salivary secretion (p = 0.009) and a positive trend toward more decayed tooth surfaces (p = 0.027). These findings suggest that HIV infection can have a significant effect on the level of S. mutans, but not genotypes.

Ranulas: possible signs for HIV/AIDS? 1 year Ugandan descriptive study

INTRODUCTION

Certain oral manifestations signal progression of HIV disease among HAART naïve patients or an increase in the plasma HIV-1 RNA levels for those on treatment. Ranulas may be one of those manifestations. Therefore, this study describes the clinical features of patients who presented with ranulas including their demographics, HIV sero-status and the CD4 CD8 cell counts for those who were HIV positive.

METHODS

A prospective study on ranulas was undertaken at Mulago national referral hospital and St Mary's hospital Lacor covering the period December 2008 to November 2009.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven cases participated in the study: 38.6% male and 61.4% female. Out of the study group, 73.7% were HIV positive. This was statistically significant (Chi = 12.789, df = 1, p = 0.001). In relation, to CD4 cell count, 23.8% had <200 cells/mm(3), 35.7% between 200-500 cells/mm(3) and 40.5% more than 500 cells/mm(3). The CD4-to-CD8 ratio ranged from 0.02-0.98 with an average of 0.31 ± 0.23, median and mode of 0.27 and 0.32, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

It is felt that ranulas may be one of the oral manifestations of worsening immunity in HIV/AIDS disease. Therefore, more research is needed to establish if it should be included among known oral manifestations of the disease.

Oral and systemic health correlates of HIV-1 shedding in saliva

The relationship among oral and systemic health and HIV shedding in saliva is not well-understood. We hypothesized that oral and systemic health are associated with HIV shedding in saliva of HIV-infected women. Saliva from 127 participants enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) was collected at repeated visits over a 5½-year study period (October 1998 through March 2004) and was evaluated for HIV-1 RNA. Demographic, lifestyle, and systemic and oral health characteristics were evaluated as possible correlates of salivary HIV-1 shedding. Multivariate models showed significantly increased risk of HIV-1 shedding in saliva as blood levels of CD4 cell counts decreased (p < 0.0001) and HIV RNA increased (p < 0.0001). Diabetes (p = 0.002) and a high proportion of gingival bleeding sites (p = 0.01) were associated with increased likelihood, while anti-retroviral therapy (p = 0.0003) and higher levels of stimulated saliva flow rates (p = 0.02) were associated with a lower likelihood of HIV-1 RNA shedding in saliva.

Regression of both oral mucocele and parotid swellings, following antiretroviral therapy

HIV-salivary gland associated disease is a well accepted concept in the HIV-related literature. Parotid swellings, especially in its cystic benign lymphoepithelial form, have been largely reported. Oral mucoceles (ranulas) were also associated with HIV in some publications. The exact nature of this link between mucoceles and HIV is still to be clarified. The mainstream treatment of most of parotid pathologies and oral mucoceles remains surgical approach. Strong evidences do, however, exist about lymphopithelial lesions of parotid glands that have been successfully treated with antiretroviral drugs. We present a case of intraoral mucocele, coexisting with bilateral parotid gland lymphoepithelial lesions, on a 2-year-old HIV-positive patient. Both parotid gland swellings and the sublingual mucocele have completely regressed following antiretroviral therapy. No surgical intervention was required. Conversely to benign lymphoepithelial lesions of parotid glands, the regression of oral mucocele on HIV-positive patient, following antiretroviral drugs therapy appears to be a rare phenomenon.

Submandibular and sublingual glands involvement in advanced acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS): an autopsy-based study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the histopathological, immunohistochemical (IHC), and in situ hybridization (ISH) features found in the submandibular (SM) and sublingual (SL) glands of 105 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients at autopsy.

STUDY DESIGN

Gender, age, CD4 cell level, and clinical histories were obtained from clinical charts (SM: n = 103; SL: n = 92). Histologic analysis of hematoxylin and eosin, Gomori-Grocott, and Ziehl-Neelsen stained tissues, IHC to detect infectious agents and characterize inflammatory cells in sialadenitis, and ISH for EBER-1/2 were performed.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients and CD4 cell count were 36 years and 76 cells/microL, respectively. Fifty-eight cases (SM: n = 51 [49%]; SL: n = 54 [59%]) were considered to be microscopically normal. The most common infectious conditions were mycobacteriosis (SM: n = 11 [10%]; SL: n = 7 [7%]), followed by cytomegalovirus (CMV) (SM: n = 14 [13%]; SL: n = 2 [2%]), and cryptococcosis (SM: n = 3 [3%]; SL: n = 4 [4%]). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) p24 (SM: n = 2 [2%]; SL: n = 1 [1%]) and EBER-1/2 (SM: n = 9 [39%]; SL: n = 4 [20%]) were seen only in macrophages and lymphocytes, respectively. The most prevalent cells seen in chronic nonspecific sialadenitis (SM: n = 25; SL: n = 25) were CD8+ T lymphocytes, whereas CD68+ macrophages were predominant in the mycobacteriosis-associated granulomatous and nonspecific diffuse macrophagic sialadenitis. Concomitant infections occurred in 5 cases (SM: n = 4; SL: n = 1) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONS

Infectious diseases and chronic nonspecific sialadenitis were the main alterations found in the SM and SL glands. These alterations were greater in the SM than in the SL glands. CD8+ T lymphocytes and CD68+ macrophages might be relevant to the pathogenesis of the sialadenitis. Clinicians should consider these diseases when assessing the major salivary glands in advanced AIDS patients and follow biosafety procedures to avoid contamination by HIV, CMV, mycobacteriosis, and cryptococcosis.

Oral health-related quality of life among HIV-infected and at-risk women

OBJECTIVES

Objective measures of dental diseases reflect only their clinical end-point. There is a need to use multidimensional measures of diseases that consider their psychosocial aspects and functional impact. The aim of this study is to compare the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) between a group of HIV-infected women and a similar group of at-risk HIV-uninfected women, and to investigate the role of potential confounding clinical oral health and behavioral factors.

METHODS

Our sample included HIV-infected women (87%) and women at risk for HIV infection (13%) followed up for 5.5 years. OHRQOL was measured using the short version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), which is a validated and reliable instrument.

RESULTS

HIV-infected women averaged 10% poorer OHRQOL than HIV-uninfected women; this difference was not apparent after adjusting for the number of study visits attended and significant behavioral and clinical oral health factors. The OHRQOL was inversely related to dental and periodontal diseases and to smoking and freebase cocaine use; these relationships were not confounded by HIV status.

CONCLUSIONS

The study identified specific clinical and behavioral factors where dental professionals can intervene to possibly improve the OHRQOL of HIV-infected or at-risk HIV-uninfected women.

The effect of HAART on salivary microbiota in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS)

OBJECTIVE

Study the prevalence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in saliva of HIV-positive women in the Women's Interagency HIV Study.

STUDY DESIGN

157 HIV-positive and 31 HIV-negative women were studied. At baseline and every 6 months over 4 years, information was collected on socioeconomic and educational status, oral and systemic health, including HIV markers and antiretroviral therapy, and frequency of professional oral care utilization. Bacterial and yeast pathogenic isolates from stimulated whole saliva were tentatively identified using standard methodologies.

RESULTS

The prevalence of microorganisms in stimulated saliva of HIV-positive women was not significantly different from that of HIV-negative women. In HIV-positive women, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was independently and significantly associated with the presence of a variety of salivary bacterial species. HAART increased the risk for recovering Fusobacterium species (P < .001), enteric gram-negative rods (P < .05), Peptostreptococcus micros (P < .05), Campylobacter species (P < .0001), Eubacterium species (P < .001), and Tannerella forsythia (P < .01). In contrast, HAART led to decreased recovery rate of yeasts (Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis) (P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

The present findings suggest that the institution of HAART promotes an increasingly pathogenic salivary microbiota, at least temporarily. Similar findings have been reported for various nonoral microbial ecosystems.

Dental caries in HIV-seropositive women

Reports that compare dental caries indices in HIV-seropositive (HIV+) subjects with HIV-seronegative (HIV-) subjects are rare. The objective of this study was to determine if there was an association between HIV infection and dental caries among women enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study. Subjects included 538 HIV+ and 141 HIV- women at baseline and 242 HIV+ and 66 HIV- women at year 5. Caries indices included DMFS and DFS (coronal caries) and DFSrc (root caries). Cross-sectional analysis of coronal caries data revealed a 1.2-fold-higher caries prevalence among HIV+ women compared with HIV- women. Longitudinally, DMFS increased with increasing age and lower average stimulated salivary volume. Root caries results were not significant except for an overall increased DFSrc associated with smoking. Anti-retroviral therapy was not identified as a risk factor for dental caries.

Baseline characteristics of participants in the oral health component of the Women's Interagency HIV Study

OBJECTIVES

This study described baseline sociodemographic and oral health characteristics of a subset of HIV sero-positive and sero-negative women who participated in the oral health component of the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS).

METHODS

In 1995-96, 584 HIV sero-positive and 151 sero-negative women from five WIHS core sites were enrolled in the oral study. Data on oral mucosa, salivary glands, dentition and periodontium, along with demographics, socioeconomics, and behavioral characteristics, were used to characterize this population.

RESULTS

Mean (SD) age was 37 (8) years for HIV sero-positive and 36 (8) years for sero-negative women; 27% of sero-positive women had CD4 counts < or =200 and 34% had viral loads >50,000 copies/ml. Sero-positive and sero-negative women were similar demographically, as well as on plaque index, gingival bleeding, linear gingival banding, and numbers of DMF teeth and surfaces, but sero-positive women had more abnormal gingival papilla (P = 0.004) and fewer teeth (P = 0.01). Among sero-positive women, those with <200 CD4 counts had more DMF teeth (P = 0.007), and the number of DMF surfaces increased with decreasing CD4 counts (P = 0.04). Sero-positive women who fit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) AIDS criteria were also more likely to have more DMF teeth (P = 0.004), DMF surfaces (P = 0.003), and decayed and/or filled (DF) root surfaces (P = 0.0002) compared to sero-positive women without AIDS.

CONCLUSIONS

Dental and periodontal variables showed little difference between HIV sero-positive and sero-negative women. Among sero-positive women, there were significant differences in coronal and root caries by AIDS diagnostic criteria, but no periodontal indicators by either AIDS diagnostic criteria or CD4 status, were observed.

HIV disease

Much has been learned about HIV disease during its first 20 years of existence in North America. The virus can now be successfully suppressed by HAART therapy, yet complete viral eradication from the body has not been demonstrated, and HIV transmissions continue to occur at an alarming rate. With support of the immune system, many HIV-infected patients will avoid oral and systemic opportunistic illnesses (or at least significantly prolong their time to onset). The number of HIV-infected patients under dental care is expected to increase in the future. Thus, dentists are fortunate that oral health care can be provided safely in the community setting for all but the very sickest of AIDS patients.

A 4-year longitudinal evaluation of xerostomia and salivary gland hypofunction in the Women's Interagency HIV Study participants

OBJECTIVES

Our purpose was to conduct a longitudinal investigation of xerostomia and salivary gland hypofunction in a national cohort of HIV-positive and at-risk HIV-negative participants in the Women's Interagency HIV Study. Study design. Data included responses to a dry mouth questionnaire, clinical evaluations of major salivary glands, and unstimulated and chewing-stimulated whole salivary flow rates. Repeated measures regression models were used to determine factors associated with xerostomia and salivary gland hypofunction.

RESULTS

Significant univariate associations were found between HIV status and reports of "too little saliva" (P <.0001), < or = 0.1 mL/min, unstimulated saliva (P =.01), and lack of saliva upon palpation of parotid (P =.02) and submandibular/sublingual salivary glands (P =.03). Adjusted odds of reports of "too little saliva" were significantly higher for HIV-positive participants (odds ratio [OR] = 2.44; 95% CI, 1.49 - 3.97; P =.0004) than for HIV-negative participants. Among HIV-positive women, adjusted odds of reports of "too little saliva" and of < or = 0.7 mL/min chewing-stimulated saliva were significantly higher for those with CD4 < 200 (OR = 1.58; 95% CI, 1.07-2.34; P =.022; and OR = 1.53; 95% CI, 1.05-2.23; P =.027, respectively) and for those with CD4 200-500 (OR = 1.47; 95%CI, 1.07-2.02; P = 0.016; and OR = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.01-2.31; P =.001, respectively) than for those with CD4 > 500. Also, adjusted odds of < or = 0.1mL/min unstimulated saliva and < or = 0.7 mL/min chewing-stimulated saliva were significantly higher in women on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) (OR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.05 - 1.50; P =.014) than in women not on HAART (OR = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.01 - 1.79; P =.044).

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-positive women are at a significantly higher risk for xerostomia and salivary gland hypofunction than HIV-negative women, and low CD4 cell counts and HAART use are significant risk factors for these conditions.

How can oral health care providers determine if patients have dry mouth?

BACKGROUND

Dentists recognize the importance of saliva in maintaining oral health and often are familiar with the clinical effects an insufficient salivary flow can have on oral tissues. A variety of medical conditions and medications can alter salivary secretion and composition. Typically, diagnosis of hyposalivation is made only after damage has occurred to the oral tissues.

OVERVIEW

The author describes a series of clinical steps that, if followed properly, may help in the early detection of salivary gland hypofunction and prevention of its severe complications. This four-step approach includes identifying a patient's chief complaint and the symptoms and duration of illness that brought the patient to the dentist, as well as any approaches the patient took to relieve symptoms; obtaining a medical history that includes a review of the body systems; performing a clinical evaluation that notes the patient's overall condition in addition to the health and functioning of the salivary glands and oral soft and hard tissues; and, when needed, conducting further diagnostic evaluations.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Oral health care providers will continue to face the challenges of treating new and recurrent carious lesions if the profession's approach to salivary hypofunction remains reactive rather than proactive. The recommendations in this article may enhance clinicians' awareness of the objective methods used to identify patients with salivary gland hypofunction or those at risk of developing it. It is hoped that early identification of asymptomatic patients at risk of developing hyposalivation, as well as symptomatic patients will lower the incidence and prevalence of dental caries and fungal infection in this population and ultimately enhance their quality of life.

Candidal carriage in the oral cavity of human immunodeficiency virus-infected subjects

OBJECTIVES

We sought to assess asymptomatic oral carriage of Candida species and relative density in human immunodeficiency virus-infected (HIV+) subjects, as well as to determine whether yeast carriage is associated with CD4+ cell count, HIV-1 RNA quantity, gender, route of HIV transmission, antiretroviral therapy, or smoking.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional analysis of oral rinses from HIV+ and healthy subjects was undertaken. Oral candidal carriage and relative species were investigated in 42 HIV+ and 41 healthy individuals, all of whom were seen at the Palermo University Department of Oral Sciences, Italy. Data were managed and analyzed by means of the computer software package StatView 5.0.1.

RESULTS

Carriage rate was 61.9% and 29.3% (P =.003) among HIV+ and healthy subjects, respectively. Similarly, density carriage in the HIV+ group was found to be significantly higher than in the control group (P = .0002). Among HIV+ subjects, Candida carriage was significantly associated with smoking, whereas density was not. Oral candidal carriage and relative density were not significantly associated with the other 4 parameters evaluated. Candida albicans was the most frequently recovered species.

CONCLUSIONS

Asymptomatic candidal carriage and relative density were found to be significantly higher in the oral cavity of HIV+ subjects-but not associated with CD4+ counts or HIV-1 RNA quantities.