[Diffuse gangrenous cervicofacial cellulitis of stomatologic origin in 7 patients with HIV-1 infection]

A new clinical aspect of AIDS in Africa is represented by acute gangrenous cervico-facial cellulitis. In most of cases, the infection was due to infected tooth. Seven patients presenting with such clinical findings were HIV-1 infected (Western Blot). Bacteriological investigations failed to show bacteria responsible of these syndromes except for 4 cases. All patients healed after surgical treatment done in emergency and antibiotherapy. No mediastinal localisation was noticed. Prevention by removing all infected teeth must be emphasized in HIV infected patient.