Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2006 Aug 18:6:12.
doi: 10.1186/1472-6831-6-12.

Oral manifestations of HIV infection in children and adults receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapy [HAART] in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Omar J M Hamza  1 , Mecky I N Matee, Elison N M Simon, Emil Kikwilu, Mainen J Moshi, Ferdinand Mugusi, Frans H M Mikx, Paul E Verweij, André J A M van der Ven
Affiliations

Oral manifestations of HIV infection in children and adults receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapy [HAART] in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Omar J M Hamza et al. BMC Oral Health. .

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence and types of HIV-related oral lesions between children and adult Tanzanian patients on HAART with those not on HAART and to relate the occurrence of the lesions with anti-HIV drug regimen, clinical stage of HIV disease and CD4+ cell count.

Methods: Participants were 532 HIV infected patients, 51 children and 481 adults, 165 males and 367 females. Children were aged 2-17 years and adults 18 and 67 years. Participants were recruited consecutively at the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) HIV clinic from October 2004 to September 2005. Investigations included; interviews, physical examinations, HIV testing and enumeration of CD4+ T cells.

Results: A total of 237 HIV-associated oral lesions were observed in 210 (39.5%) patients. Oral candidiasis was the commonest (23.5%), followed by mucosal hyperpigmentation (4.7%). There was a significant difference in the occurrence of oral candidiasis (chi2 = 4.31; df = 1; p = 0.03) and parotid enlargement (chi2 = 36.5; df = 1; p = 0.04) between children and adults. Adult patients who were on HAART had a significantly lower risk of; oral lesions (OR = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.22-0.47; p = 0.005), oral candidiasis (OR = 0.28; 95% CI = 0.18-0.44; p = 0.003) and oral hairy leukoplakia (OR = 0.18; 95% CI = 0.04-0.85; p = 0.03). There was no significant reduction in occurrence of oral lesions in children on HAART (OR = 0.35; 95% CI = 0.11-1.14; p = 0.15). There was also a significant association between the presence of oral lesions and CD4+ cell count < 200 cell/mm3 (chi2 = 52.4; df = 2; p = 0.006) and with WHO clinical stage (chi2 = 121; df = 3; p = 0.008). Oral lesions were also associated with tobacco smoking (chi2 = 8.17; df = 2; p = 0.04).

Conclusion: Adult patients receiving HAART had a significantly lower prevalence of oral lesions, particularly oral candidiasis and oral hairy leukoplakia. There was no significant change in occurrence of oral lesions in children receiving HAART. The occurrence of oral lesions, in both HAART and non-HAART patients, correlated with WHO clinical staging and CD4+ less than 200 cells/mm3.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Hodgson TA. HIV-associated oral lesions: prevalence in Zambia. Oral Dis. 1997;3:S46–S50. - PubMed
    1. Tukutuku K, Muyembe-Tamfum L, Kayembe K, Odio W, Kandi K, Ntumba M. Oral manifestations of AIDS in a heterosexual population in a Zaire hospital. J Oral Pathol Med. 1990;19:232–234. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0714.1990.tb00832.x. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Itula PF, Mackenzie SB, Lewis K, Mortimer PP. Orofacial manifestations and seroprevalence of HIV infection in Namibian dental patients. Oral Dis. 1997;3:S51–S53. - PubMed
    1. Matee MI, Scheutz F, Moshy J. Occurence of oral lesions in relation to clinical and immunological status among HIV-infected adult Tanzanians. Oral Dis. 2000;6:106–111. - PubMed
    1. Schiodt M, Bakilana PB, Hiza JF, Shao JF, Bygbjerg I, Mbaga I, Vestergaard BF, Nielsen CM, Lauritzen E, Lerche B, Kuijlen K. Oral candidiasis and Hairy leukoplakia correlate with HIV infection in Tanzania. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1990;69:591–596. doi: 10.1016/0030-4220(90)90242-K. - DOI - PubMed