Prevalence of oral lesions and the effects of HAART in adult HIV patients attending a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Oral lesions have been reported to be early clinical features of HIV infection. The objective of this study was to establish the prevalence of oral lesions and the management outcome using HAART in HIV Seropositive patients attending a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: This was a prospective study in 114 newly diagnosed adult HIV infected patients (not on antiretroviral therapy), who attended the PEPFAR clinic at Lagos University Teaching Hospital. They were assessed for oral lesions which were evaluated using EEC/WHO—Classification on the diagnostic criteria for oral lesions in HIV. Data were collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Oral examination was carried out and oral lesions detected were recorded. Presence or absence of oral lesions was evaluated following 3 months use of HAART. Results: 114 patients were enrolled into the study, 49 (43.0%) males and 65 (57.0%) females, with age range of 18 63 years. 42 (36.8%) presented with oral lesions, 19 (45.2%) of which had multiple lesions. Oral Candidiasis which accounted for 47.7% was the most common oral lesion observed followed by Oral Hairy Leukoplakia (21.6%) and oral hyperpigmentation (10.8%). Pseudomembraneous Candidiasis was the most common variant of oral Candidiasis seen. Prevalence of oral lesions was significantly associated with low CD4 count and high viral load. Eighty four percent (84%) of oral lesions disappeared following 3 months of HAART treatment. Conclusion: Oral lesions are common features of HIV and a marker for progression of the disease to AIDS. There was significant reduction in oral lesions following 3 months treatment with HAART.