Exploring the relationship between cycle threshold values and oral manifestations in COVID-19: a comprehensive overview.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study aimed to compare oral manifestations between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive and SARS-CoV-2-negative patients and to examine associations between oral symptoms, Ct values of E and N SARS-CoV-2 viral genes, and the implications of low Ct values indicating a high viral load, which is a predictive factor for the outcome of COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 353 participating patients were aged ≥18 years with clinical manifestations of COVID-19 infection and tested for SARS-CoV-2 carriage at the medical center, by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). All patients filled out an anonymous digital questionnaire regarding oral and general symptoms and overall medical health.  Results: A significant association was found between SARS-CoV-2 carriage and dry mouth, unpleasant taste and changes in taste (p < 0.001); for example, 37.4% of the 147 SARS-CoV-2- positive participants had a dry mouth, compared to 18.9% of the 206 SARS-CoV-2- negative participants. Oral blisters were experienced by patients with an E gene Ct value of 10-20 (50%) or 21-30 (50%) (p = 0.041). Bad breath, dry mouth, unpleasant taste and changes in taste were mostly present in participants whose Ct values of both E and N genes were between 21 and 30.  Conclusions: This study found significant associations between low Ct values of E and N SARS-CoV-2 viral genes and high viral load, indicating that Ct values can serve as predictive factors for COVID-19 outcomes. The findings suggest that while oral symptoms are present, the Ct values and associated high viral loads are more critical indicators of disease severity and prognosis.

Oral manifestations of Covid-19-A literature review.

Initially, it was reported that coronavirus 2019 disease (Covid-19) affects respiratory, gastrointestinal and neurological systems, but the oral, olfactory and integumentary systems are also involved. This review discusses various oral manifestations of Covid-19 reported in the literature along with possible underlying mechanisms. The reported manifestations include taste impairment, oral mucosal changes (petechiae, ulcers, plaque-like lesions, reactivation of herpes simplex virus 1(HSV1), geographical tongue and desquamative gingivitis) and dry mouth. The prominent location for mucosal lesions are tongue, palate and labial mucosa. The exact pathogenesis of these oral symptoms is not known. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) cell receptors are expressed in abundance on oral mucosa allowing severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) to infect them. Gustatory impairment along with olfactory changes is now listed as a symptom of Covid-19 by the World Health Organization, but further research is needed to confirm a link between reported additional oral symptoms and Covid-19. Dental professionals may encounter individuals with Covid-19 and be called upon to identify various oral manifestations of this disease.

Natural history of oral HPV infection: Longitudinal analyses in prospective cohorts from Australia.

Oral infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is likely to underpin the rapidly rising incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma; however, there are few data describing the natural history of oral HPV infection. We recruited 704 participants aged 20 to 70 years from worksites, universities and primary care practices in Brisbane, Australia. Participants completed questionnaires at baseline, 12 and 24 months and donate four saliva samples at baseline, 6, 12 and 24 months for HPV polymerase chain reaction testing and typing. We estimated the prevalence of oral HPV infection at baseline, incidence of new infections among those HPV-negative at baseline, clearance rate and persistent infections. At baseline, 10.7% of participants had oral HPV infections from 26 different HPV types. Sexual behaviours were associated with oral HPV infection, including more partners for passionate kissing (29 or more; odds ratio [OR] 3.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-8.0), and giving and receiving oral sex (16 or more; OR 5.4, 95% CI 1.6-17.7 and OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.6-18.7, respectively). Of 343 participants, HPV-free at baseline and with subsequent saliva samples, 87 (25%) acquired new infections over the 24 months. Sixty-eight of 87 people included in the clearance analysis (78%) cleared their oral HPV infections. Clearance was associated with being a nonsmoker (OR 12.7, 95% CI 1.3-122.8), and no previous diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection (OR 6.2, 95% CI 2.0-19.9). New oral infections with HPV in this sample were not rare. Although most infections were cleared, clearance was not universal suggesting a reservoir of infection exists that might predispose to oropharyngeal carcinogenesis.

Quantitative Oral HPV16 and HPV18 Detection in Persons Attending Dental Clinics.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess quantitative human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 and HPV18 detection in oral rinses obtained in dental offices in Seattle, Washington. METHODS: We evaluated oral rinses collected during dental visits from 2016 to 2018. Multiplex TaqMan quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine HPV16 and HPV18 viral load (VL). RESULTS: Of 15,313 persons, 152 (1%) had detectable oral HPV16/18. Men were at higher risk of oral HPV16/18 infection than women (1.6% vs. 0.6%; odds ratio, 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.1-4.4). Compared with women, men with HPV16 were older (median, 55 vs. 48 years; P < 0.001) and had higher VL (39.7 vs. 1.1 copies/mL, P < 0.001). Of 39 with HPV16 at baseline and a second oral rinse, 13 remained positive at subsequent rinse; of 8 with HPV18 at baseline, 2 remained positive at subsequent rinse. Persons with consecutive positive test results were all men and had higher baseline VL compared with those with first positive and second negative samples. CONCLUSION: Oral rinse is an acceptable method of HPV testing, and persons are interested in testing. Overall HPV16/18 prevalence was low, and detection was more frequent among men than women, especially at higher copy numbers. HPV16 persistence was more common in men with high VL at baseline test. Future studies are needed to evaluate the feasibility of an effective secondary prevention strategy for oropharyngeal cancer using quantitative oral HPV detection.

Viruses and oral diseases in HIV-infected individuals on long-term antiretroviral therapy: What are the risks and what are the mechanisms?

As a result of the extension of life span produced by increasing access to combined antiretroviral therapy, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) face new challenges from comorbidities. Although advances in medical care for HIV infection have dramatically reduced opportunistic infections and AIDS-defining cancers, some non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADC) and specific oral diseases such as periodontitis and salivary gland disease are now more prevalent. Cancer prevention is, therefore, a priority issue in care of PLWH, stressing both restoration of immune function and reduction of non-HIV cancer risk factors (tobacco in all its forms; areca nut; heavy alcohol consumption; diets lacking antioxidant vitamins and minerals; and oncogenic virus infections) through specific interventions, especially tobacco and areca nut cessation and alcohol moderation. Detection of oral high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPV) and the universal preventive HPV vaccination among PLWH should be promoted to reduce the malignancy burden, along with routine oral examinations which remain the cheapest, most reliable, most reproducible, and non-invasive tool to identify suspicious lesions. Also, considerations of oral inflammation and periodontal health are important to replication and gene expression of viruses in the mouth. Considering that a key risk factor for this scenario is the presence of oncogenic virus infection such as several members of the human herpesvirus and human papillomavirus families, here we analyze the variables involved in the seeming increase in comorbidities in PLWH.

Oral manifestations of HIV: Can they be an indicator of disease severity? (A systematic review).

OBJECTIVE: To review the existing research literature on the paradigm that the oral lesions could be an indicator of the disease severity with the objective of documenting the current status of research, highlighting its major findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Publications were identified through a careful search, of which a majority focused on oral lesions as an indicator for HIV progression. A PubMed journal search of 10 years OF period publication (2009-2019) for "oral lesion, oral manifestation, indicator, HIV and HIV-associated" was performed and analysed. Various research methods were included within the study criteria including clinical study, clinical trial, comparative study and randomised control trial. RESULTS: A total 33 studies were obtained and analysed, including cohort study, cross-sectional study, case-control study, clinical trial, retrospective observational analysis study, prospective observational study and randomised control trial. The most common oral lesions found in the studies were Kaposi sarcoma (KS), followed by oral candidiasis, periodontitis, necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (NUG), necrotising ulcerative periodontitis (NUP) and oral hairy leucoplakia (OHL). The early diagnosis and accurate treatment plan were very important to indicate the disease severity related to HIV infection. CONCLUSION: Oral lesions reported in 39% articles and could be an indicator of HIV disease severity due to its effects on decreased cluster-differentiated (CD4+) T-cell count and increased viral load.

Prevalence and Epidemiologic Profile of Oral Infection with Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Papillomaviruses in an Asian Chinese Population.

Background: Knowledge of the prevalence of and risk factors for oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, especially cutaneous types, is limited. Methods: A population-based study using next-generation sequencing consecutively recruited asymptomatic individuals aged 18-64 years from a proportional sampling of the general population of Hong Kong, according to age groups, gender, and regions of residence. We examined associations of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-HPVs from oral rinse samples with participants' sociodemographics by logistic regression models. Results: The prevalence of oral HPV infection among 1426 ethnic Chinese was 15.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.7%-17.5%), 2.5% (95% CI, 1.8%-3.5%), 11.9% (95% CI, 10.3%-13.6%), and 2.9% (95% CI, 2.1%-3.9%) for any type, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-HPV, respectively. Prevalence of any high-risk HPV was 0.8% (95% CI, 0.4%-1.4%), and that of HPV-16 was 0.4% (95% CI, 0.2%-0.8%). HPV-8 and HPV-98 were the most common beta types detected, while HPV-4 and HPV-SD2R were the most common gamma types. Prevalence of alpha- and beta/gamma-HPV infection showed a similar pattern of increase with age, and was higher in men than women. Smoking, drinking, oral sex, and more sexual partners were associated with alpha-HPV. Teeth brushing before sleep was protective for beta/gamma-HPVs. Discussion: The epidemiologic factors associated with oral infection with alpha-HPVs are different from those of beta/gamma-HPVs, suggesting different modes of acquisition and persistence.

Prevalence of HIV-related oral manifestations and their association with HAART and CD4+ T cell count: a review.

HIV infection is one of the major health problem of the last decades. This disease causes a chronic infection that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). According to the Global AIDS update, released in 2016 by HIV department of World Health Organization (WHO) and by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), at the end of 2015, 36.7 million people were infected by HIV: 34.9 million of these were adults and 1.8 million were children under 15 years of age. The same report shows that during 2015, 2.1 million of new infection cases have occurred all over the world and about 1.1 million people have died for HIV. The aim of this short review is to up-date of the main HIV-related oral manifestations and their correlation with HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) and CD4+ T-cell count. Despite that more than 20 years have elapsed, this classification still remains valid: even today, group 1 lesions are found in the majority of HIV-positive patients with oral manifestations. Group 1 includes the following conditions: oral candidiasis (pseudomembranous candidiasis, erythematous candidiasis, angle cheilitis), oral hairy leukoplakia, periodontal diseases (necrotizing gingivitis, necrotizing periodontitis, linear gingival erythema), Kaposi’s sarcoma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Melanotic hyperpigmentation, HSV infection and HPV infection, which are included in group 2, are also common. Oral candidiasis, oral hairy leukoplakia, Kaposi’s sarcoma and HSV infection are the lesions that have seen the major drop in their incidence after the HAART introduction. The increase in CD4+ T-cell count is not significantly correlated to the decrease of every type of oral lesions, but it is statistically significant only in relation to oral candidiasis (p-value less than 0.001). Oral lesions are an important sign of immunodepression and with the introduction of HAART their incidence has strongly decreased, particularly in urban areas. Nevertheless, developing countries still have a high prevalence of these manifestations because of the persistence of many risk factors, like the difficulty to access treatment, poor oral hygiene, low socioeconomic status and late diagnosis.

Oral manifestations of human papillomavirus infections.

Papillomaviruses are one of the oldest viruses known, dating back 330 million years. During this long evolution, human papillomaviruses (HPV) have developed into hijackers of human cellular and immune systems in which they replicate and remain silent. Systematic studies on oral HPV infections and their outcomes are still scarce. Oral HPV infections have been linked to sexual behaviour, but recent evidence supports their horizontal, mouth-to-mouth, transmission. Most HPV infections in infants are acquired vertically from the mother during the intrauterine period, during delivery, or later via saliva. The best-known benign clinical manifestations of HPV infection are oral papilloma/condyloma and focal epithelial hyperplasia. Evidence is emerging which suggests that some oral HPV infections might persist. Persistent HPV infection is mandatory for HPV-associated malignant transformation. However, progression of HPV-induced lesions to malignancy requires additional cofactors. In the early 1980s, we provided the first evidence that a subset of oral cancers and other head and neck cancers might be causally linked to HPV infection. This review summarizes current knowledge on the virus itself, its transmission modes, as well as the full spectrum of oral HPV infections - from asymptomatic infections to benign, potentially malignant oral lesions, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Use of trichloroacetic acid for management of oral lesions caused by human papillomavirus.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) has an affinity for squamous cells of stratified keratinized epithelium, thus affecting the lower genital, nasal, and oral tracts. In the oral cavity, HPV is associated with pathoses such as the verruca vulgaris (common wart), squamous cell papilloma, condyloma acuminatum (venereal wart), and focal epithelial hyperplasia (Heck disease). Among the treatments available for these lesions are cryotherapy, electrosurgery, surgical removal, laser therapy, and trichloroacetic acid (TCA). The objective of this research was to determine the behavior of HPV-associated oral pathoses treated with TCA. A prospective cohort study was performed in 20 patients who attended a dental consultation at 2 universities in Cartagena, Colombia. Among the patients, 65% were diagnosed as having focal epithelial hyperplasia, 20% as having verrucae vulgares, and 15% as having condylomata acuminata. Application of TCA to HPV-associated oral lesions proved to be a useful nonsurgical alternative treatment, as the resolution of the lesions was achieved atraumatically in a span of 45 days with 3 applications of 30-60 seconds each.

The child and adolescent with HIV in resource poor countries.

UNLABELLED: Although sub-Saharan Africa caries the burden of paediatric and adult HIV/AIDS infections, the epidemic is spreading most rapidly in the Middle East and North Africa Region where between 2005 and 2013, AIDS-related deaths increased by 66% in comparison with a worldwide fall of 35%. For the first time, in 2011, more than half of people in need of antiretroviral drugs were receiving them, with coverage reaching 54%; yet only 28% of children have access to HIV treatment. This review sought to provide an update of paediatric and adolescent oral HIV/AIDS issues in resource poor countries. OBJECTIVES: To review the literature on paediatric & adolescent HIV with a focus on oral lesions as predictors of HIV infection; as markers of the efficacy of HAART and quality of life; caries risk; management of oral lesions; and epidemiological tests for clinical significance of oral lesions. METHODS: A search strategy was developed for PubMed to identify papers on paediatric oral HIV. Publications in English were selected on the basis that their titles and abstracts were relevant to the review objectives. The reference lists of included papers were screened for additional articles. The time-search for publications was limited from 2009 to 15 October 2014. RESULTS: Papers on the prevalence of oral lesions lacked standardization in diagnostic criteria and the introduction of HAART had significantly reduced prevalence; oral lesions remain useful predictors for HIV infection and as markers for the efficacy of HAART. Evidence suggest that caries risk is increased with HIV infection; management of oral lesions is inconsistent with available resources and surprisingly little recent information has been published in the past 5 years. Revised case definitions are proposed for large-scale epidemiologic studies with the development of an oral lesion index showing promise. Oral health quality of life indicators for children and adolescents are becoming important as more of these indicators are being developed and their negative oral impacts in individuals with oral lesions are now well established. CONCLUSIONS: Paediatric and adolescent oral HIV research needs to be prioritized as current studies are few and are characterized by poor quality study designs, small study samples and a lack of multicentre collaborations. There is a lack of high quality evidence for a number of interventions available for management of oral lesions.

Prevalence of salivary Epstein-Barr virus in potentially malignant oral disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the presence of salivary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in oral squamous cell carcinoma and potentially malignant oral disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three groups were studied: Group 1 (12 oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC)), Group 2 (12 potentially malignant oral disorders (PMD)) and Group 3 (47 healthy controls). EBV DNA salivary analysis was performed by PCR. RESULTS: The highest percentage of positive salivary EBV DNA corresponded to the OSCC group (58.3%), followed by the PMD group (41.7%) and the controls (40.4%). The differences between groups were not statistically significant, however (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Salivary EBV DNA was more prevalent in OSCC than in PMD or the controls.

Oral Human Papillomavirus Infection and Oral Lesions in HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Dental Patients.

We evaluated the risk factors associated with oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and oral lesions in 161 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients and 128 HIV-negative patients presenting for oral examination at 2 urban healthcare centers. Patients were interviewed on risk factors and provided oral-rinse samples for HPV DNA typing by polymerase chain reaction. Statistical associations were assessed by logistic regression. Oral HPV was prevalent in 32% and 16% of HIV-positive patients and HIV-negative patients, respectively, including high-risk HPV type 16 (8% and 2%, respectively; P = .049) and uncommon HPV types 32/42 (6% and 5%, respectively; P = .715). Among HIV-negative patients, significant risk factors for oral HPV included multiple sex partners (≥21 vs ≤5; odds ratio [OR], 9.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7-49.3), heavy tobacco smoking (>20 pack-years vs none; OR, 9.2; 95% CI, 1.4-59.4), and marijuana use (OR, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.3-12.4). Among HIV-positive patients, lower CD4(+) T-cell count only was associated with oral HPV detection (≤200 vs ≥500 cells/mm(3); OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.3-15.5). Detection of high-risk HPV was also associated with concurrent detection of potentially cancerous oral lesions among HIV-negative patients but not among HIV-positive patients. The observed risk factor associations with oral HPV in HIV-negative patients are consistent with sexual transmission and local immunity, whereas in HIV-positive patients, oral HPV detection is strongly associated with low CD4(+) T-cell counts.

[Manifestation of Zoster in the Oral Cavity].

Zoster (shingles) is assumed to affect 10-20% of the individuals who have been exposed to the varicella zoster virus (VZV). It is expected to develop among the elderly, usually on the background of a weakened immune system. In those cases that the trigeminal branches are involved by zoster, unilateral mucosal and cutaneous vesiculo-ulcerative lesions will develop. Intense pain usually precedes the overt lesions of zoster, which sometimes might mimic acute pain of dental origin. Careful anamnesis and thorough clinical examination should lead to a correct diagnosis. Since zoster, in general, is associated with serious morbidity, including post-herpetic neuralgia, ocular damage and hearing deficits, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommend shingles vaccination, especially for those who are > 60-year old.

The prevalence, oral manifestations and management of viral hepatitis in Saudi Arabia: an update.

The aim of this review is to update healthcare professionals about the prevalence of various hepatitis viruses in the Saudi population. A perspective on the global and regional prevalence of hepatitis A, B and C viruses has also been given. The oral manifestations of hepatitis infection, the risks of patients and healthcare workers acquiring these infections, as well as the management of dental patients with hepatitis infection in the dental clinical setting has also been discussed. The universal precautions which should be observed while treating these patients have been reiterated, whereby detailed steps as pertaining to the management of these patients have been described, so as to optimize patient treatment, and at the same time to prevent dental healthcare workers from acquiring infection. The purpose of such management is therefore to ultimately improve the quality of life of patients infected with hepatitis viruses.

Oral mucosal lesions and immune status in HIV-infected Indian children.

OBJECTIVE: Pediatric HIV is growing at an alarming rate in developing countries. Due to their compromised immune status, children infected with HIV are prone to a number of opportunistic infections. Oral manifestations are the first signs of the disease in many of them. To assess the oral mucosal status of Indian children with HIV, based on their CD4 cell counts. METHODOLOGY: Two hundred and twenty one HIV infected children aged 6-18 years from various HIV centers, were divided into three groups, based on their CD4 cell counts; Group 1: ≥500, Group 2: 201-499 and Group 3: ≤200 cells. The children in each group were further considered as 'prior to antiretroviral treatment (ART)' and 'on ART'. Oral mucosal examination was done based on presumptive criteria given by Ramos-Gomez for diagnosis of oro-facial lesions commonly associated with HIV infection in children. Data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: Angular cheilitis and pseudomembranous candidiasis were the frequently seen oral lesions. Children with CD4 cell count ≥500 had significantly fewer oral lesions each. CONCLUSION: A high percentage of HIV-infected children were affected with oral mucosal lesions. There was a significant association between immune status and frequency of oral lesions.

Herpes Zoster of the Third Division of the Trigeminal Nerve. A Clinical Pathologic Conference.

Herpes zoster of the trigeminal nerve is a disease that often challenges dentists and dental specialists trying to make the proper diagnosis, as many ulcerative and vesiculobullous diseases of the mouth have a similar clinical appearance. We report a clinical case in which a 27-year-old patient sought care for this vesicular lesion. Included are the differential diagnosis and treatment modalities that we used to diagnose the disease. A clinical pathologic conference is provided to highlight the appropriate courses of action in the management of herpes zoster.

Ebola virus disease: review and implications for dentistry in Ireland.

UNLABELLED: The current Ebola outbreak in West Africa is a global health emergency with implications for all healthcare professionals. This article will review the clinical features, transmission and oral manifestations of Ebola virus infection, and discuss the implications of the current outbreak for dental practices in Ireland. Guidance for managing suspected cases and contacts is also provided. CONCLUSIONS: Although Ebola is an alarming disease with a very high mortality rate, it is extremely unlikely that the dental team will encounter a new presentation of Ebola or that it will pose a significant transmission risk. The dental team should be aware of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) Algorithm for Ebola Virus Disease Risk Assessment, and it should be followed as necessary. It is advised to defer dental treatment for 21 days after possible exposure to the Ebola virus.

Herpes simplex virus reactivation as a trigger of mucous lesions in pemphigus vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Although infectious agents have long been implicated in the induction or exacerbation of pemphigus vulgaris (PV), a convincing role for the agent in the aetiology of PV has not been established. OBJECTIVES: To establish the association with PV and herpes simplex virus (HSV). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined saliva for the presence of HSV DNA after the onset of PV initially localized to the oral lesions in addition to conventional serological tests and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: We successfully detected high levels of HSV DNA in the saliva samples from six of 16 patients with PV at the earliest stage, who had no episodes of herpes simplex. The prevalence (37·5%) of detecting HSV DNA in the patients with PV was lower than that of eczema herpeticum (56·5%), but comparable to that in patients with herpes labialis (30·0%). Copy numbers of the HSV DNA were rather higher than those with herpes labialis and with eczema herpeticum. In general, detection of HSV DNA in saliva was transient and restricted to the earliest phase of the disease. In addition, anti-HSV immunoglobulin (Ig) G titres in patients with PV were significantly higher than those in patients with virologically confirmed HSV-induced disorders. All salivary HSV DNA-positive patients with PV had run a more complex, intractable course refractory to conventional therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Detection of HSV DNA in saliva is a useful and noninvasive, quantitative method for establishing the role of HSV in the pathogenesis of PV and for identifying individuals at greater risk for subsequently developing refractory PV.