Diagnosis of Oral Lesions associated with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV is a lentivirus, subfamily of retroviruses.
HIV has a lipid envelope that has specific glycoproteins that attach to CD4 protein on cell surface.
Cells which express CD4 protein are at risk of infection with HIV including CD4 lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, microglial cells, and langerhan’s cells in skin.
Disturbances in number and function of CD4 cells lead to opportunistic infections. Oral lesions (OL) are among early clinical features of HIV infection and can predict progression of HIV to AIDS.
Significance of oral lesions is that, indicates HIV infection and result in significant morbidity.