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Is there an association between viral load, CD4 count, WHO staging, and dental caries in HIV-positive children?

Veerasamy Yengopal1, Temitope Ayodeji Esan2,3, Zorayda Joosab1

  • 1Department of Community Dentistry, School of Oral Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry
|May 19, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This study found no significant link between dental caries and immune markers (CD4 counts, viral load, WHO staging) in HIV-positive children on long-term HAART therapy. Further research is needed to understand oral health in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Limited research exists on the association between CD4 counts, viral load, WHO staging, and dental caries in HIV-positive children on HAART.
  • Understanding these relationships is crucial for managing oral health in this vulnerable population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the strength of association between CD4 counts, WHO staging, viral load, and dental caries in HIV-positive children.
  • To investigate the impact of HAART therapy on oral health outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted with 355 HIV-positive children aged 4-12 years in Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Data collected included decayed, missing, filled teeth (dmft/DMFT) scores, CD4 counts, WHO staging, and viral load.
  • Pearson's correlation and regression analyses were employed to assess associations.

Main Results:

  • Caries prevalence was 57% in the study cohort, with dmft score of 4.36 and DMFT score of 0.58.
  • Significant associations were found between viral load and CD4 count (P=.003), and viral load and WHO stage (P=.007).
  • Weak associations were observed between caries (d, D) and viral load, CD4 count, and WHO stage.

Conclusions:

  • No substantial evidence indicates a significant association between dental caries and CD4 counts, viral load, or WHO clinical stage in HIV-positive children on HAART.
  • The findings suggest that other factors may play a more significant role in the development of caries in this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
HIV/AIDSbiomarkerscaries detection/diagnosis/preventionchild Dentistryepidemiologypaediatric dentistry

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