Prevalence of HIV--related oral lesions in Nigerian women

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection affects an increasing number of women throughout the world. Oral lesions are among the earliest clinical manifestations of HIV infection and are associated with its progression. We describe the oral manifestations of HIV/AIDS in Nigerian women and its clinical correlates.

Nigerian women with HIV/AIDS were examined for the presence of oral lesions attributable to HIV/AIDS. These lesions were diagnosed clinically, according to the criteria established by the European Community Clearinghouse (ECC) on oral problems related to HIV infection.

Two hundred and sixty-nine seropositive women were examined with a range of 17-60 years (mean of 32.4 years < 8.09). The age group of 21 30 years was the worst affected (n = 125, 46.5%). Of these patients, 109 (40.5%) were married, 67 (24.9%) were single while 47 (17.5%) had multiple sexual partners. One hundred and eighteen (43.9%) had at least an oral lesion associated with HIV/AIDS. The most common was oral candidiasis, which was present in 98 (36.4%) patients. Pseudomembraneous candidiasis (n = 66, 24.5%) and angular cheilitis (n = 23, 8.6%) were the commonest variants seen. The former was the only lesion significantly associated with the clinical stage of the infection (p = 0.002) while necrotizing gingivitis, linear gingival erythema and angular cheilitis were associated with the age of the patients (p < 0.05).

Oral manifestations are common features of HIV infection among Nigerian women. Oral candidiasis (OC) was the most notable oral lesion associated with HIV/AIDS. It may be a useful clinical indicator of early immune dysfunction mediated by HIV.