Short communication: oral lesions in HIV/AIDS patients undergoing HAART including efavirenz

HIV Infection and Oral Manifestations: An Update

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes a complete depletion of the immune system; it has been a major health issue around the world since the 1980s, and due to the reduction of CD4+ T lymphocytes levels, it can trigger various opportunistic infections. Oral lesions are usually accurate indicators of immunosuppression because these oral manifestations may occur as a result of the compromised immune system caused by HIV infection; therefore, oral lesions might be initial and common clinical features in people living with HIV. So, it is necessary to evaluate and understand the mechanism, prevalence, and risk factors of oral lesions to avoid the increase morbidity among those with oral diseases.

Prevalence of oral lesions in patients with AIDS: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Oral lesions are considered to be early clinical signs which may predict the progression of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Due to the lack of a comprehensive study that includes oral lesions in people with AIDS, the global prevalence of oral lesions in people with AIDS was estimated by combining preliminary studies' results using meta-analysis.Material and methods Databases including PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus were searched using keywords as 'HIV', 'AIDS', 'oral candidiasis', 'Kaposi Sarcoma', 'LinearGingival Erythema' and OR operators, AND and NOT. After the elimination of duplicate documents, articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected. Quality assessment was performed based on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. After combining the results of preliminary studies, an overall estimate of each lesion was reported. Ninety-five studies met the criteria for inclusion in this meta-analysis.Results The global prevalence of 21 oral lesions in HIV-infected patients was estimated. The overall prevalence of oral candidiasis, pseudomembranous candidiasis, oral hairy leukoplakia, Kaposi sarcoma and erythematous candidiasis was as follows: 35% (95% CI: 28-42), 19% (95% CI: 15-22), 12% (95% CI: 11-14), 5% (95% CI: 4-6) and 18% (95% CI: 14-22).Conclusion The present meta-analysis showed that oral lesions have a high prevalence in patients with AIDS. Dentists should consider that the clinical appearance of the oral cavity reflects the overall systemic health of the patient. As such, oral lesions may be linked to underlying immunosuppression caused by AIDS.

Prevalence of oromucosal lesions in HIV positive patients receiving haart-A prospective clinical study

AIM

To determine the preponderance of oral mucosal lesions and conditions in patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patient tested Seropositive for HIV and on HAART therapy were clinically examined to evaluate prevalence of oral lesions.

RESULTS

In the pool of 152 HIV positive patients in the study, age ranged from 7 to 71 years, 67 were males and 85 females. The duration of the HAART medication was 43 months. Oral lesion was present in 51.32% of patients related to infection. Oral lesions seen in descending order of frequency were periodontitis, mucosal hyperpigmentation, acute gingivitis, oral candidiasis, linear gingival erythema, stomatitis, and nonspecific ulcers. Totally, 48.68% of patients had no oral lesions.

CONCLUSION

Majority of the HIV patients on HAART exhibited periodontitis (30.77%), mucosal hyperpigmentation (17.44%), gingivitis (10.77%), anemic stomatitis (11.28%), and other oral lesions accounted to 29.74% which may be attributed to Anti Retro Viral Therapy.

Common oral opportunistic infections in Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: Changing epidemiology; diagnostic criteria and methods; management protocols

There were 36.9 million in the world living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) as of 2017, and new infections have seen a reduction by 18% since 2010. But this rate of decline is not sufficient for the goal of eradication of AIDS by 2030. Only 21.7  million people infected with HIV have accesses to antiretroviral therapy, with the rest at risk of the potential complications of HIV infection. It has been shown that oral lesions are diagnostic and prognostic of HIV infection, and many oral opportunistic infections continue to be a major problem, particularly in developing countries. It is therefore important that dental surgeons be aware and updated to recognize and manage the oral effects of HIV infection/AIDS. This chapter describes the classification, diagnosis, and management of oral lesions in these patients, based on our current understanding of the infection. This review also discusses the standardization of diagnosis of oral lesions in HIV infection/AIDS patients, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome case definition, and the research priorities formulated at the 7th World Workshop on Oral Health and Disease in AIDS.

Systematic review of the changing pattern of the oral manifestations of HIV

The purpose of the present study paper was to review the reported prevalence of the oral manifestations of HIV (OM-HIV) worldwide since 1980, and to determine the global variation in its prevalence over time. PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Google Scholar were searched. The filter "English" was used. The timeframe searched was 1980- 2015. The PRISMA flow chart was used. Data were extracted using the Joanna Briggs Institute standardized data extraction form and transferred to SPSS version 22 for analysis. The systematic review of 97 studies (70 low bias risk) showed that the prevalence of OM-HIV continue to be significant in developing countries. Globally and through all the decades, oral candidiasis remained the most commonly encountered OM-HIV, including among patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) (26.2%). Hairy leukoplakia was more prevalent in Europe and America compared with Africa and Asia. Oral warts were reported more often in studies on patients receiving ART. Interestingly, salivary gland disease decreased in the developed world and increased in developing countries over time. Despite the changing pattern of these conditions over time, there is no evidence that the OM-HIV have become of less significance globally. Maintaining the drive for high-quality research in the subject will have an impact on less developed countries to help address oral health inequalities.

Estimation of prevalence of periodontal disease and oral lesions and their relation to CD4 counts in HIV seropositive patients on antiretroviral therapy regimen reporting at District General Hospital, Raichur

Introduction:

Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a condition in which the body becomes susceptible to a host of opportunistic infections. This syndrome is a culmination of infection with a lenti virus called Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) particularly HIV 1. A cross section of the population including adults and children are affected by HIV infection with estimate of 36.1 million affected by the end of 2014. HIV infection affects the T lymphocytes especially cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) count reducing it drastically jeopardizing the acquired immunity. The advent of Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) has proved as a ray of hope, at least reducing the misery and suffering although not permanently. This study attempts to understand the prevalence of periodontal disease and other oral lesions, further examining their relationship with CD4 counts in the HIV seropositive patients on ART.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 72 HIV positive patients on ART reporting at ART centre at Raichur District hospital were screened in the study for periodontal status, oral manifestations. The latest CD4 count values were obtained from the hospital records.

Results:

The study showed a 36.11% of prevalence of periodontal disease; however no statistically significant association was seen with its relation to CD4 counts. Other oral manifestations were seen in 46% of patients with a high prevalence of Oral Candidiasis lesions and a positive association with CD 4 counts was seen.

Conclusion:

Under the limitations of this study no significant association was seen between CD4 counts and prevalence of periodontal disease however candiasis showed a stronger association. As HIV infection gradually becomes a chronic disease the features and course of chronic periodontal disease and other oral manifestations in HIV infected patients require more careful and extensive investigation.

Influence of highly-active antiretroviral therapy on the subgingival biofilm in HIV-infected patients

AIM

Highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been associated with alterations in subgingival biofilm and periodontal disease. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between different HAART regimens and the prevalence of periodontal pathogens in HIV-infected patients with chronic periodontitis.

METHODS

Subgingival periodontal pathogens were determined by a DNA chip microarray in a case series in 14 HIV-infected patients receiving HAART with different drug combinations: protease inhibitor (PI)-based HAART versus non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based HAART. A statistical analysis was conducted to determine whether specific HAART regimens were associated with 10 periodontal pathogens using odds ratios (OR).

RESULTS

At baseline and after treatment, the patients did not show significant clinical and immunological differences. In general, the highest OR for the prevalence of periodontal pathogens were found in the PI HAART group for Actinomyces viscosus (A. viscosus) (OR: 303), Campylobacter rectus (OR: 90), and Treponema denticola (OR: 25). In the NNRTI HAART group, higher OR were documented for Fusobacterium nucleatum (OR: 56) and Eikenella corrodens (OR: 25). The association between A. viscosus and PI HAART was statistically significant (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrated statistical associations between subgingival bacteria and antiretroviral drug therapies. Further investigation on the clinical significance and underlying mechanisms are needed to support these findings.

Xerostomia related to HIV infection /AIDS: a critical review

Introduction: The presence of oral manifestations in HIV positive individuals is quite common. Xerostomia appears as one of the most frequent problems and may lead to a reduction in the quality of life of this population. Objective: This study was a critical review of the relationship between xerostomia and HIV infection, to attract the attention of dentists on the importance of dental care to these patients. Material and method: We included articles published between 2000 and 2009, indexed in PUBMED database. The descriptors used were "HIV" and "xerostomia", the exclusion criteria adopted were: the absence of these descriptors associated, non-location of the full-text, articles based on case studies or case series and the absence of the abstract in the database. Result: Based on studies in the review, it can be said that the xerostomia is a common manifestation of HIV infection, predisposing the patient to several other oral problems. Among the risk factors for its occurrence it was reported: low counts of CD4+ T cells, high plasma viral load, the use of some medications and antiretroviral therapy. Conclusion: The HIV/AIDS can change the salivary glands, and were considered important risk factors for the occurrence of xerostomia the presence of didanosine and the drug class which corresponds to protease inhibitors in antiretroviral therapy.

Urban legends series: oral manifestations of HIV infection

Human immunodeficiency virus-related oral lesions (HIV-OLs), such as oral candidiasis (OC) and oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL), have been recognized as indicators of immune suppression since the beginning of the global HIV epidemic. The diagnosis and management of HIV disease and spectrum of opportunistic infection has changed over the past 30 years as our understanding of the infection has evolved. We investigated the following controversial topics: (i) Are oral manifestations of HIV still relevant after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)? (ii) Can we nowadays still diagnose HIV infection through oral lesions? (iii) Is the actual classification of oral manifestations of HIV adequate or does it need to be reviewed and updated? (iv) Is there any novelty in the treatment of oral manifestations of HIV infection? Results from extensive literature review suggested the following: (i) While HAART has resulted in significant reductions in HIV-OLs, many are still seen in patients with HIV infection, with OC remaining the most common lesion. While the relationship between oral warts and the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome is less clear, the malignant potential of oral human papillomavirus infection is gaining increasing attention. (ii) Effective antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV from a fatal illness to a chronic manageable condition and as a result expanded screening policies for HIV are being advocated both in developed and in developing countries. Affordable, reliable, and easy-to-use diagnostic techniques have been recently introduced likely restricting the importance of HIV-OLs in diagnosis. (iii) The 1993 EC-Clearinghouse classification of HIV-OLs is still globally used despite controversy on the relevance of periodontal diseases today. HIV-OL case definitions were updated in 2009 to facilitate the accuracy of HIV-OL diagnoses by non-dental healthcare workers in large-scale epidemiologic studies and clinical trials. (iv) Research over the last 6 years on novel modalities for the treatment of HIV-OLs has been reported for OC and OHL.

Prevalence, incidence, and recurrence of oral lesions among HIV-infected patients on HAART in Alabama: a two-year longitudinal study

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to quantify prevalence, incidence, and recurrence of oral lesions (OL) among a population in the Southeast.

METHODS

A retrospective study based on chart review was conducted among patients (n = 744) who were ≥19 years of age and initiated highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) between January 2000 and June 2006 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) 1917 Clinic. Patients' laboratory data and oral conditions were recorded for 2 years after enrollment into the study.

RESULTS

During 2 years of follow-up, the period prevalence of individuals experienced at least one OL was 35.6% (266/744). Among all of the 374 episodes of OL, 183 were new cases, while 57 were recurrences. The OL person-visit incidence rate was 0.02 per 100 person-visits. Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) was the most frequent manifestation in terms of period prevalence (74.9%) with a person-visit incident rate of 0.01 per 100 person-visits.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing HAART continue to be affected by HIV-related oral conditions, especially OPC. These results clearly indicate that OL during HIV infection are still highly prevalent in spite of the improvements in medical care and the availability of HAART.

Contemporary profile of oral manifestations of HIV/AIDS and associated risk factors in a Southeastern US clinic

BACKGROUND

Introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has resulted in a significant decrease of oral manifestations (OMs). The profile and risk factors for OM in those individuals initiating HAART remain understudied in the Southeast of the United States, region of increasing HIV prevalence.

OBJECTIVE

To determine clinical, socio-demographic, and laboratory characteristics associated with the presence of OM among patients initiating HAART.

METHODS

Retrospective review of electronically captured data from patients initiating HAART at a Southeastern US clinic. Prevalence was determined, and risk factors for overall OM, oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), and all other OM were evaluated using logistic regression.

RESULTS

In our sample (n = 744), majority of individuals were males (75 percent), African-American (50 percent), mean age of 39 years, 42 percent of which reported sex with men (MSM). Two hundred sixty-six had some type of OM. Compared with those without any OM, patients with OM had a lower mean baseline CD4+ T cells count (CD4 count) (331 ± 260 versus 179 ± 244 CD4 cells/mm(3) ) and higher mean baseline HIV-1 RNA viral load (4.0 ± 1.34 log(10) versus 4.6 ± 1.30 log(10) ) (P < 0.01). In the logistic regression models seeking to determine factors associated with an increased risk of OM and OPC, the only characteristic associated with the outcome was baseline CD4 value. Being male, African-American, and heterosexual showed a protective role for OM other than OPC.

CONCLUSION

OM continues to be common despite HAART. General OM and OPC were closely associated with a low baseline CD4 count. Knowledge of risk factors for OM can potentially help clinicians target oral evaluation of HIV-positive individuals.

The impact of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) on the clinical features of HIV - related oral lesions in Nigeria

Background

This study aimed to determine the therapeutic effects of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) on the clinical presentations of HIV related oral lesions (HIV-ROLs) in an adult Nigerian population.

Methods

A 5 month prospective study on HAART naïve HIV positive adults recruited into the HAART program of an AIDS referral centre. HIV-ROLs were diagnosed clinically by the EEC Clearinghouse on oral problems related to HIV infection. Baseline clinical features of HIV-ROLs was documented by clinical photographs using SONY^® 5.2 M Cybershot digital camera. Post HAART monthly review was conducted using clinical photographs.

Results

A total of 142 patients were seen. Age range was 19 - 75 years. Mean age was 35.6 ± 10.5 (SD). Eighty (56.3%) were females. Prevalence of HIV-ROLs was 43.7%. Oral candidiasis (22.4%) was the most prevalent HIV-ROL. 114 (83.2%) patients had clinical AIDS at presentation (CDC 1993). 89.4% were placed on Tenofovir/Emtricitabine +`Nevirapine, 9.9% on Tenofovir/Emtricitabine + Efavirenz. There was strong decline in the clinical features of oral candidiasis from a month of commencing HAART. Oral hairy leukoplakia was slow in responding to HAART. Parotid gland enlargement, melanotic hyperpigmentation and Kaposi's sarcoma were more persistent and had slower response to HAART. There was no clinical change noticed in linear gingival erythema.

Conclusion

HAART has different clinical effects on HIV related oral lesions depending on the size, duration of treatment and etiology of the lesions. HIV-ROLs of fungal origin have the fastest response to HAART. These lesions alongside immunologic parameters can be used as indicators of success or failure of antiretroviral therapy.

HIV protease inhibitors block oral epithelial cell DNA synthesis

OBJECTIVES

Anti-retroviral therapy regimens that include HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) are associated with diverse adverse effects including increased prevalence of oral warts, oral sensorial deficits and gastrointestinal toxicities suggesting that PIs may perturb epithelial cell biology. To test the hypothesis that PIs could affect specific biological processes of oral epithelium, the effects of these agents were evaluated in several oral epithelial cell-lines.

DESIGN

Primary and immortalized oral keratinocytes and squamous carcinoma cells of oropharyngeal origin were cultured in the presence of pharmacologically relevant concentrations of PIs. Their affects on cell viability, cytotoxicity and DNA synthesis were assessed by enzymatic assays and incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) into DNA.

RESULTS

Viability of primary and immortalized oral keratinocytes as well as squamous carcinoma cells of oropharyngeal origin was significantly reduced by select PIs at concentrations found in plasma. Of the seven PIs evaluated, nelfinavir was the most potent with a mean 50% inhibitory concentration [IC(50)] of 4.1 microM. Lopinavir and saquinavir also reduced epithelial cell viability (IC(50) of 10-20 microM). Atazanavir and ritonovir caused minor reductions in viability, while amprenavir and indinavir were not significant inhibitors. The reduced cell viability, as shown by BrdU incorporation assays, was due to inhibition of DNA synthesis rather than cell death due to cytotoxicity.

CONCLUSION

Select PIs retard oral epithelial cell proliferation in a drug and dose-dependent manner by blocking DNA synthesis. This could account for some of their adverse effects on oral health.