Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children attending the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Clinic in Cape Town

Objective: Investigation of the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV)-infected children undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study of 66 HIV seropositive children, comprised of 28 (42.4%) females and 38 (57.6%) males (average age of 6 years). Study participants all required data regarding CD4+ T-helper cell counts and the viral load. All participants underwent an orofacial clinical examination by calibrated clinicians. Associations between the presence of oral mucosal lesions, CD4+ cell counts, and viral load were analyzed using Poisson regression. Results: The prevalence of oral manifestations was detected in 21 children (31.8%).Oral lesions were detected in 16 children with viral load copies 500 cells/mm3. Predominant lesions identified included angular cheilitis (36.7%), candidiasis (13.3%) and atypical oral ulcers (13.3%).The presence of one lesion was the most prevalent represented by 19 children. Oral lesions in relation to the CD4+ counts >500 resulted in; 14 children with one oral lesion, 5 with two lesions and 3 with three oral mucosal lesions. The other half of thisCD4+ count patient group presented with no oral mucosal lesions. Oral lesions in relation Viral load copies