Reviewing the oral pigmented lesions of human immunodeficiency virus with emphasis on the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy

Dis Mon. 2021 Sep;67(9):101167. doi: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2021.101167. Epub 2021 Feb 24.

Abstract

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome a disease with high mortality rates is caused by the well-known human immunodeficiency virus. The disease is characterized by several opportunistic infections owing to the decreased CD4 lymphocyte counts. Oral manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus are vital as they are one of the early manifestations of the disease. Also, they serve as prognostic markers as they correlate with the CD4 lymphocyte counts of the affected individuals. Human immunodeficiency virus is not only common in the adult population but also can affect pediatric patients through vertical transmission. The initial therapeutic strategy for the management of the virus was only the prevention of opportunistic infections. Later in the mid-1990s, antiretroviral therapy was introduced but there was no significant improvement in prognosis. After the advent of combination therapy or the use of three antiretroviral drugs also known as highly active antiretroviral therapy, there has been a marked reduction in human immunodeficiency virus-associated mortality rates. The highly active antiretroviral therapy has several effects on the oral manifestations of the human immunodeficiency virus. The present paper aims to review the oral pigmented lesions associated with human immunodeficiency virus with an emphasis on the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Keywords: Highly active antiretroviral therapy; Human immunodeficiency virus; Kaposi sarcoma; Oral melanotic hyperpigmentation; Oral pigmented lesions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / virology
  • Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active*
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • HIV
  • HIV Infections* / complications
  • HIV Infections* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Mouth / drug effects
  • Mouth Diseases* / complications

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents