Ultrastructural findings in oral hyperpigmentation of HIV-infected patients

Oral hyperpigmentation has been observed in six HIV-infected patients, in two of whom systemic medication (ketokonazole, clofazimine) was supposed to be etiologically involved. Histologically, pigment was found in epithelial basal cells and particularly in subepithelial connective tissue. Ultrastructurally, the presence of premature melanosomes in subepithelial keratinocytes was of interest. Stimulation of melanocytes during HIV infection may occur in association with immunopathologic changes in the oral mucosa.