Periodontal status in HIV-positive individuals and its possible correlation with CD4+T cell count

Background : Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) results in loss of immunologic functions, especially those coordinated by CD4+ T-helper cells and consequent impairment of immune response. Periodontal disease has been associated with HIV infection, and HIV infection has been considered a modifier of periodontal disease. Aim: The aim of this study was to report the severity of periodontal disease in HIV-positive individuals and its association between clinical periodontal indices and CD4+T-cell count. Materials and Methods: 25 HIV-positive individuals were recruited and medical history was recorded. To evaluate periodontal disease, clinical attachment loss (CAL), oral hygiene index (OHI), and gingival bleeding index (GI) were recorded. Immune suppression was measured by peripheral blood CD4+T cells/mm 3 as analyzed by flow cytometry. Statistical Analysis: Association between CD4+ T levels and clinical parameters were determined using correlation coefficient test. Results: When all subjects were evaluated, a negative correlation was obtained between CD4+ T-cell count and clinical attachment loss (r = -0.68226). In individuals with CD4+cell counts <200 cells/ mm 3 , a negative correlation was obtained between clinical attachment loss (-0.35467) and GI (-0.35202). In patients with CD4 count