AN ATYPICAL ORAL-MANIFESTATION IN A HIV POSITIVE PATIENT

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus belonging to the family lentinoviridae and it affects the immune system resulting in various systemic and oral manifestations. Systemic manifestations are quite common in HIV patients compared to the oral manifestations. Oral manifestation plays an important role in diagnosing and management of HIV. Lesions in the oral cavity are categorized as commonly associated lesions and less commonly associated lesions with HIV.

 Oral melanotic hyperpigmentation (OMH) is one of the less commonly associated lesion that is caused mainly due to the antiretroviral drugs used in the management of HIV. HIV-associated OMH without the use of antiretroviral therapy has a lower prevalence. In this case, we report an OMH along with other less commonly associated findings like angular cheilitis, xerostomia, purpuric spots and erythematous areas, these non specific oral manifestations are helpful in the diagnosis of HIV