Oral manifestations and CD4+ + T lymphocyte count in HIV (+) adult patients treated at San Juan de Dios Hospital – Santiago, Chile

Abstract

Background: Oral lesions classified as strongly associated with HIV infection occur in cases of severe immunosuppression (CD4⁺ + T lymphocyte count ≤ 200 cells / mm3 of blood). Aim: To associate the presence of oral lesions strongly associated with HIV infection with CD4 + T lymphocytes count at the time of diagnosis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in PLHIV treated at the San Juan de Dios Hospital between 2013 and 2019. Oral lesions were diagnosed by the EC-Clearinghouse - OHARA criteria and immunosuppression was determined according to the CD4 + T lymphocyte count. Results: Of the 240 recruited patients, 35 had lesions strongly associated with HIV infection and 26 of them had severe immunosuppression. The probability of occurrence of a lesion strongly associated with HIV infection is 12.3 times higher in patients with severe immunosuppression. Conclusion: There is a statistically significant association between a state of severe immunosuppression and the presence of oral manifestations strongly associated with HIV/AIDS infection, which has clinical relevance since it is presented as a clinical tool for initial diagnosis, disease progression and monitoring of antiretroviral therapy.