Oral Lesions in HIV Infection in Developing Countries: An Overview

Resident: Adam J. Bottrill
Date: 01JUN11
Region: Providence
Article title: Oral Lesions in HIV Infection in Developing Countries: An Overview
Journal: Adv Dent Res
Page #s: 63-68
Vol:No Date: 19, Apr, 2006
Major topic: HIV Infection. Oral Lesions
Minor topic(s): None
Type of Article: Descriptive article

Main Purpose: The objective of this work was to ascertain the nature and prevalence of oral lesions in different regions, and to identify any gaps in our understanding of these lesions in HIV disease.

Key points in the article discussion:

I. General:
A. Studies are needed WRT these oral lesions in developing countries and developed countries if a proper course of treatment is to be effectively formulated.
B. End of 2003: 46mill ppl infected... with more than 95% from developing countries.
C. Oral lesions are often an early finding in HIV infection.
D. 2.9 million children with HIV.

II. Methods:
A. Oral lesion reports from developing countries over a 14 year period.
B. Reports sub-grouped into 4 groups, based on region: India, Thailand, Africa, Latin America.

III. Results:
A. Detailed report and data tabulation presented in article...
B. Route of transmition primarily sexual for adults... with the exception of the Thai cohort which showed predominately IV drug use.
C. Men primarily infected with women as the majority in Zaire, Kenya, Zambia and Thailand.
D. Pediatric patients with oral lesions ranged from 25% to 63%.
E. Oral Candidiasis most common with the most common type of pseudomembranous.
F. Angular Cheilitis and Oral Hairy Leukoplakia reported from ALL regions.
G. Other common lesions: Gingivitis, Periodontitis, Linear gingival erythema, necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis, ulcers, oral hyperpigmentation.
H. Oral Kaposi's Sarcoma most prevalent in Mexico and Zimbabwe.
I. Oral submucous fibrosis in India due to areca nut chewing.
J. Often, the predominance of certain oral lesions was a direct effect of the populations access to care or stage of disease.

Assessment of Article: This article serves as a baseline for further studies regarding geographic prevalence and the nature of the disease process.