3D radiotherapy in the parotid gland and its dosimetric relationship with salivary flow and quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer

Aim: Hyposalivation and dry mouth affect the quality of life in patients with Head and Neck Cancer, who did the treatment with radiotherapy. Thus this study has the objective to evaluate the dosimetric relationship between 3D radiotherapy and changes in salivary flow, xerostomia and quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer according to the volume of the irradiated parotid gland. Methods: 23 patients with cancer in the head and neck area and in need of 3D radiotherapy were followed up during radiotherapy treatment, and the parotid gland (PG) design was also performed in radiotherapy planning. Questionnaires were carried out to determine xerostomia and quality of life, while the salivary flow was determined through calculations regarding the collection and weighing of saliva. Such data were collected in three moments: before the beginning of the radiotherapy treatment (D0), in the middle of the treatment (D1) and at the end of it (D2). The numerical variables are represented by measures of central tendency and measures of dispersion. Results: when associating the salivary flow, the xerostomia questionnaire and the OHIP-14, a statistically significant difference was found (p-value <0.001), as well as when comparing some volumes of irradiated PG with the OHIP-14. However, no relationship was found between dosimetric data, xerostomia and hyposalivation. Conclusion: patients undergoing 3D radiotherapy for malignant neoplasms in the head and neck region had decreased salivary flow, increased complaints of dry mouth and decreased quality of life. However, it was not possible to establish a statistically significant correlation between these findings and the volumes of irradiated parotids

Coronaviridae-Old friends, new enemy!

Coronaviridae is a family of single-stranded positive enveloped RNA viruses. This article aimed to review the history of these viruses in the last 60 years since their discovery to understand what lessons can be learned from the past. A review of the PubMed database was carried out, describing taxonomy, classification, virology, genetic recombination, host adaptation, and main symptoms related to each type of virus. SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the ongoing global pandemic, and SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV were responsible for causing severe respiratory illness and regional epidemics in the past while the four other strains of CoVs (229-E OC43, NL63, and HKU1) circulate worldwide and normally only cause mild upper respiratory tract infections. Given the enormous diversity of coronavirus viruses in wildlife and their continuous evolution and adaptation to humans, future outbreaks would undoubtedly occur. Restricting or banning all trade in wild animals in wet markets would be a necessary measure to reduce future zoonotic infections.

Evaluation of the salivary flow of patients undergoing conventional radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

The purpose of this cross-sectional, quantitative study was to evaluate the salivary flow of 20 patients undergoing conventional 2-dimensional radiotherapy in the head and neck region. Unstimulated salivary flow was measured with the spitting technique. In addition, xerostomia was evaluated through the Eisbruch grading system and the Xerostomia Inventory (XI). The patients were evaluated 3 times: D0, before the first radiotherapy session; D17, after the 17th radiotherapy session; and D35, after the last radiotherapy session. Most of the patients in the present study were men (70%). The larynx was the most frequent site of cancer in this sample (45%). The most prevalent oral alteration during radiotherapy was odynophagia (75%). The analysis of subjective symptoms of xerostomia revealed no statistically significant differences (P = 0.059). However, statistically significant differences in the XI were found, with scores increasing from D0 to D17 and D35 (P = 0.004). With regard to the objective symptoms of xerostomia, most patients started treatment in grade 1 and remained in the same category at the end of radiation. There was a slight increase in salivary volume during treatment, an atypical finding that can probably be explained by the use of low-level laser, which was applied to prevent oral mucositis in all of the patients. The mean total radiation dose (65 Gy) received by the patients in the present sample did not appear to influence the XI values or salivary volume. The data reinforced the subjective nature of xerostomia, which is not always related to hyposalivation.

Pentoxifylline, tocopherol, and sequestrectomy are effective for the management of advanced osteoradionecrosis of the jaws-a case series.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of pentoxifylline and tocopherol for the management of osteoradionecrosis of the jaws. METHODS: Twenty-five patients diagnosed with osteoradionecrosis of the jaws treated with pentoxifylline 400 mg + tocopherol 400 mg three times daily (tid) were evaluated. Clinical records and image tests were reviewed. All patients were previously submitted to head and neck radiation therapy and presented with a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of osteoradionecrosis of the jaws. RESULTS: Following therapy with pentoxifylline and tocopherol, 76% (19/25) of the patients showed complete mucosal healing, in which 47.3% (9/19) did not undergo sequestrectomy. From this particular group, 77.7% (7/9) were in stage I and 33.3% (3/9) used the protocol for up to 3 months. Among those who underwent to sequestrectomy, complete mucosal healing was observed in 52.7% (10/19). Among these, 60% (6/10) were in stage I and 100% of the patients were using the protocol for more than 3 months. In all other patients, partial healing of the mucosa was observed since they presented advanced disease. These represented 24% of the sample (6/25), 66.6% (4/6) were in stage III, and 60% (4/6) used the protocol for over 6 months. CONCLUSION: Pentoxifylline and tocopherol may provide effective management of osteoradionecrosis of the jaws, and the association with sequestrectomy may avoid major surgical procedures.

Photobiomodulation for mucosal repair in patients submitted to dental extraction after head and neck radiation therapy: a double-blind randomized pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on the mucosal healing of patients submitted to simple dental extractions after head and neck radiation therapy (HNRT). METHODS: Forty surgical procedures were randomly assigned into two groups: G1: dental extraction + PBMT (n = 19) and G2: dental extraction + sham-PBMT (n = 21). All patients received antibiotic therapy and the surgical alveolotomy to promote primary closure of the surgical site. Group 1 was submitted to PMBT according to the following parameters: 808 nm, 40 mW, 100 J/cm2, 70 s, 2.8 J/point, 14 J/session, and area of 0.028cm2. The primary outcome was complete mucosal lining at 14 days, and the secondary outcomes were the presence of infection, postoperative pain, and analgesics intake at 7 days. The patients were evaluated every 7 days until 28 days. RESULTS: Alveolar mucosal lining was faster in G1, and at 14 postoperative days, 94.7% patients evolved with complete alveolar mucosal lining compared to no patient from G2 (p < 0.001). Patients from G1 reported postoperative pain less frequently (G1 = 4, 21.1% × G2 = 14, 66.7%, p = 0.005), and also reported lower intake of analgesic pills at D7 (21.1% × 66.7%, p = 0.005%). PBMT had a significant positive impact on both postoperative pain (NNT = 2.192, CI95% = 1.372-5.445) and mucosal healing (NNT = 1.056, CI95% = 0.954-1.181). CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study strongly supports the use of PMBT to promote surgical alveolar mucosal lining in a shorter time and with less postoperative pain.

Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab Domain III ß-16 Is Involved in Binding to Prohibitin, Which Correlates with Toxicity against Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Helicoverpa armigera is a major insect pest of several crops worldwide. This insect is susceptible to some Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry insecticidal proteins expressed in transgenic crops or used in biopesticides. Previously, we identified H. armigera prohibitin (HaPHB) as a Cry1Ac-binding protein. Here, we further analyzed the potential role of PHB as a Cry toxin receptor in comparison to cadherin (CAD), well recognized as a Cry1Ac receptor. HaPHB-2 midgut protein and HaCAD toxin-binding region (TBR) fragment from H. armigera were expressed in Escherichia coli cells, and binding assays with different Cry1 toxins were performed. We demonstrated that Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, and Cry1Fa toxins bound to HaPHB-2 in a manner similar to that seen with HaCAD-TBR. Different Cry1Ab mutant toxins located in domain II (Cry1AbF371A and Cry1AbG439D) or domain III (Cry1AbL511A and Cry1AbN514A), which were previously characterized and found to be affected in receptor binding, were analyzed regarding their binding interaction with HaPHB-2 and toxicity against H. armigera One ß-16 mutant (Cry1AbN514A) showed increased binding to HaPHB-2 that correlated with 6-fold-higher toxicity against H. armigera, whereas the other ß-16 mutant (Cry1AbL511A) was affected in binding to HaPHB-2 and lost toxicity against H. armigera Our data indicate that ß-16 from domain III of Cry1Ab is involved in interactions with HaPHB-2 and in toxicity. This report identifies a region of Cry1Ab involved in binding to HaPHB-2 from a Lepidoptera insect, suggesting that this protein may participate as a novel receptor in the mechanism of action of the Cry1 toxins in H. armigeraIMPORTANCEHelicoverpa armigera is a polyphagous pest that feeds on important crops worldwide. This insect pest is sensitive to different Cry1 toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis In this study, we analyzed the potential role of PHB-2 as a Cry1 toxin receptor in comparison to CAD. We show that different Cry1 toxins bound to HaPHB-2 and HaCAD-TBR similarly and identify ß-16 from domain III of Cry1Ab as a binding region involved in the interaction with HaPHB-2 and in toxicity. This report characterized HaPHB-Cry1 binding interaction, providing novel insights into potential target sites for improving Cry1 toxicity against H. armigera.

Impact of xerostomia on the quality of life of patients submitted to head and neck radiotherapy

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present work was to evaluate the impact of xerostomia on the quality of life of patients who underwent radiotherapy in the head and neck region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, quantitative study. The sample comprised 40 patients whose xerostomia was classified through the xerostomia inventory and the quality of life evaluated through the oral health impact profile questionnaire (OHIP). RESULTS: The majority of participants were male (75%), mean age 58.7 years. According to the degree of severity of the xerostomia, the average score among the participants was 36 points, this being considered moderate xerostomia. A significant impact was observed, with the median score 11 points, with the highest scores in the domains related to functional limitation, physical pain and physical disability. The majority of the participants (97.5%) had reduced salivary flow after the end of radiotherapy. There was a significant positive correlation between the degree of xerostomia and reduced quality of life, Pearson correlation 0.5421, (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Based upon the results it is concluded that xerostomia has a negative impact on the quality of life of patients who undergo radiotherapy in the head and neck region

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Identification of midgut membrane proteins from different instars of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) that bind to Cry1Ac toxin.

Helicoverpa armigera is a polyphagous pest sensitive to Cry1Ac protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The susceptibility of the different larval instars of H. armigera to Cry1Ac protoxin showed a significant 45-fold reduction in late instars compared to early instars. A possible hypothesis is that gut surface proteins that bind to Cry1Ac differ in both instars, although higher Cry toxin degradation in late instars could also explain the observed differences in susceptibility. Here we compared the Cry1Ac-binding proteins from second and fifth instars by pull-down assays and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis (LC-MS/MS). The data show differential protein interaction patterns of Cry1Ac in the two instars analyzed. Alkaline phosphatase, and other membrane proteins, such as prohibitin and an anion selective channel protein were identified only in the second instar, suggesting that these proteins may be involved in the higher toxicity of Cry1Ac in early instars of H. armigera. Eleven Cry1Ac binindg proteins were identified exclusively in late instar larvae, like different proteases such as trypsin-like protease, azurocidin-like proteinase, and carboxypeptidase. Different aminopeptidase N isofroms were identified in both instar larvae. We compared the Cry1Ac protoxin degradation using midgut juice from late and early instars, showing that the midgut juice from late instars is more efficient to degrade Cry1Ac protoxin than that of early instars, suggesting that increased proteolytic activity on the toxin could also explain the low Cry1Ac toxicity in late instars.

Increase in the nitric oxide release without changes in cell viability of macrophages after laser therapy with 660 and 808 nm lasers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with different parameters and wavelengths on nitric oxide (NO) release and cell viability. Irradiation was performed with Ga-Al-As laser, continuous mode and wavelengths of 660 and 808 nm at different energy and power densities. For each wavelength, powers of 30, 50, and 100 mW and times of 10, 30, and 60 s were used. NO release was measured using Griess reaction, and cell viability was evaluated by mitochondrial reduction of bromide 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) to formazan. LLLT promoted statistically significant changes in NO release and MTT value only at the wavelength of 660 nm (p < 0.05). LLLT also promoted an increase in the NO release and cell viability when the energy densities 64 (p = 0.04) and 214 J/cm2 (p = 0.012), respectively, were used. LLLT has a significant impact on NO release without affecting cell viability, but the significance of these findings in the inflammatory response needs to be further studied.

Congenital labial mucocele: rare presentation of a common disease.

Oral mucoceles are common lesions characterized by accumulation of mucus following rupture of a minor salivary gland duct. However, congenital mucoceles are a rare and distinctive oral condition observed in newborns. This case report details the features of a congenital labial nodule diagnosed as congenital mucocele. These lesions are rare in the oral cavity and should be diagnosed in the delivery room, but many cases are referred for further evaluation. Management is simple, and recurrence is not expected.

Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation of benign oral vascular lesions: a case series.

Vascular anomalies of the head and neck are common lesions usually associated with functional and/or aesthetic limitations. The aim of the present paper was to report a case series of oral vascular malformations treated with Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation, highlighting the clinical evolution and post-surgical complications. Fifteen patients diagnosed with oral vascular malformations were treated with Nd:YAG laser followed by three sessions of biostimulation. None of the patients presented post-surgical pain, but 6 of 15 patients (40%) experienced minimal post-surgical complications. All cases presented complete resolution of the lesions after laser treatment. More importantly, 12 out of 15 (80%) resolved after a single session. Low morbidity, minimal patient discomfort, and satisfactory aesthetic results point Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation as a promising option for the management of benign oral vascular lesions.

Impact of oral mucositis on oral-health-related quality of life of patients diagnosed with cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Oral mucositis (OM) has been described as the oral complication most frequently associated with antineoplastic therapy. However, the influence on the quality of life of affected patients is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of OM on the oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients diagnosed with cancer, who developed chemotherapy- and/or radiotherapy-induced OM. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional evaluation of QoL using oral health impact profile-14 (OHIP-14). The study group comprised a sample of 60 patients diagnosed with cancer, who developed OM during the treatment. The instrument (OHIP-14) composed of seven dimensions was used: functional limitation, physical pain, psychological discomfort, physical deficiency, psychological deficiency, social incapacity, and deficiency. RESULTS: The internal consistency of OHIP-14 measured by the Cronbach's α coefficient was of 0.76. Physical pain attained the highest score (worst quality of life) among the studied dimensions 60.8% (292/480), followed by physical limitation 52.7% (253/480), and psychological discomfort 50.8% (244/480). The dimension 'social limitation' obtained the lowest score 27.2% (131/480). There was statistically significant difference as regards gender (P = 0.021) for physical pain, with greater impact among patients of the male gender. CONCLUSION: Oral-health-related quality of life is significantly affected by OM in individuals diagnosed with cancer.

Labial frenectomy with Nd:YAG laser and conventional surgery: a comparative study.

Labial frenulums are sagittal fibrous folds of oral mucosa with a periosteal insertion that extend from the lips to the alveolar or gingival mucosa. Occasionally, they assume inadequate size or location and may lead to functional and esthetic limitations. The aim of the present study was to compare pre-, trans-, and postsurgical clinical parameters of labial frenectomies performed with conventional surgery and neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. Forty individuals were assessed as a convenience sample and were divided into two groups according to the treatment: group 1 (G1), conventional surgery (n = 22), and G2, Nd:YAG laser surgery (n = 18). Clinical parameters such as frenulum insertion, location, bleeding, surgical time, suturing, preoperative fear, and postoperative discomfort/functional limitations were evaluated. All surgeries were performed by the same operator, and the level of fear, pain, and discomfort related to oral functions were assessed with a visual numeric scale. Most of the frenulums (90%) were classified as papillary or transpapillary insertion. Preoperative fear was similar between groups (p = 0.593). All G2 patients did not require suture (p < 0.001), did not bleed during the procedure (p < 0.001), and had surgical time diminished (p < 0.001). No significant statistical difference regarding pain or oral function could be observed. Three individuals (7.5%) experienced postsurgical complications. Nd:YAG laser frenectomies reduces transoperative bleeding, avoiding the need of suturing, and promotes a significant reduction of surgical time in comparison with conventional surgery. Therefore, further studies are necessary to provide a complete understanding and standardization of the technique as well as the expected clinical results.

Oral and genital HPV genotypic concordance between sexual partners.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to verify human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission and genotype concordance among heterosexual couples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one married couples were evaluated. All male subjects presented with clinically diagnosed HPV-related malignant or potentially malignant lesions and underwent peniscopy and penile swab. Their female counterparts underwent swabs of the uterine cervix and oral mucosa. HPV-DNA detection was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: HPV-DNA was detected in the penis, vagina/cervix, and oral cavity of 16 couples (51.61%). Of these, HPV-DNA concordance was observed in 14 couples (87.5%). HPV-DNA was amplified in penile and oral sites of 14 couples. Of these, 13 couples reported fellatio (92.85%), most of them (10 couples, 76.9%) without condom use. HPV-DNA concordance was observed in 7/10 of these couples (70%). The three couples (100%) who reported use of condom during fellatio were HPV-DNA discordant (p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Lifetime number of female sexual partners and detection of HPV-DNA in the penile mucosa are surrogate markers of exposure to HPV during marriage. Consistent use of condoms may reduce the risk of HPV transmission. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Oral acquisition of HPV from oro-genital contact is influenced by lack of condom use and previous sexual behavior of the male partner. In addition, oral transmission of the virus due to fellatio is as common as genital transmission.

Seroprevalence of herpes virus associated with the presence and severity of oral mucositis in children diagnosed with acute lymphoid leukemia.

INTRODUCTION: Acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) is the hematologic neoplasia most commonly diagnosed in children. Among the secondary side effects of chemotherapy, mucositis is the most frequent complication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of herpes viruses HSV-1, EBV, and CMV and the presence and severity of oral mucositis in children and adolescents diagnosed with ALL. METHODOLOGY: Ninety-two patients diagnosed with ALL were evaluated. Serum samples were collected before chemotherapy and tested by ELISA method. Presence of mucositis was observed on the first day before antineoplastic therapy (D0) and on 7th day post-therapy (D7). Classification of mucositis intensity was performed according to toxicity criteria established by the National Cancer Institute. RESULTS: 70.7% of the patients presented mucositis on the D7, and of these, 60% were classified as Grade I and 40% as Grade II; of the 92 individuals tested, 59 (64.1%) presented antibodies for HSV-1, 57 (62%) for EBV, 75 (81.5%) for CMV_IgG, and 21 (22.8%) for CMV_IgM. Using a logistic regression model, the presence of HSV-1 was observed to be 4.10 times greater in Grade II mucositis severity than in Grade I (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, it was possible to conclude that infection by the herpes viruses HSV-1, EBV, and CMV is ubiquitous in the studied population and that HSV-1 may be a risk factor for aggravating the severity of mucositis.

Noma in an immunocompromised patient.

Noma (also known as cancrum oris) is classified by the World Health Organization as a necrotizing ulcerative stomatitis, an invasive acute infection which affects the orofacial tissues. Patients who are subject to such risk factors as severe malnutrition or alteration of the immune system are predominantly affected. This article presents a case of noma in a 62-year-old immunocompromised patient with pain and tooth mobility in the mandibular region, ulceration, bleeding, gingival inflammatory secretion, and oral malodor. The signs and symptoms were controlled only after the intravenous administration of 500 mg tid of imipenem/cilastatin sodium and 2 g qd of vancomycin. After infection control was maintained, the patient was directed to surgery for removal of bone sequestration and curettage of the maxillary sinus. The patient was prescribed 1 g qd of oral clindamycin for 3 months postsurgery.

Bilateral lymphoepithelial cyst of the tongue: a case report.

A lymphoepithelial cyst (LC) is a rare occurrence in the oral cavity, lined by a keratinized stratified squamous epithelium that is surrounded by diffuse lymphoid tissue, that often contains lymphoid follicles. The clinical aspect of oral LC includes an asymptomatic yellowish nodule (less than 10 mm) with regular surface and soft consistency. It usually affects the floor of the mouth and the ventral and posterolateral surfaces of the tongue in adult male patients. To date, approximately 280 cases of LC in the oral cavity have been reported in the literature; however, none of them appear bilaterally. This article presents the histopathological and immunohistochemical findings of a unique bilateral LC in the posterolateral region of the tongue.

Intrahost genetic variability of human herpes virus-8.

Studies were conducted to determine whether HHV-8 hyperactivity could be the consequence of the propensity of the host to multiple HHV-8 infection. The aim of the present work was to investigate HHV-8 intrahost genetic variability. HHV-8 subgenomic DNA was amplified by PCR from patients infected with HIV, health care workers (HCW) and bone marrow transplant recipients (BMT), and from oral lesional tissues of AIDS-Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) patients. As controls, blood from HIV-negative health care workers, and the cell lines BC-1, BC-2, and BCP-1 were used. Clones derived from amplicons originating from DNA fragments in open reading frame (ORF) 26 and ORF K1 were isolated. For each ORF, intra-specimen nucleotide sequence differences were determined. The extent of HHV-8 variation in clones derived from blood of patients infected with HIV was significantly higher than in blood from health care workers or post-bone marrow transplantation patients or in AIDS-KS tissue. Among the clones derived from the latter three categories of specimens, sequence variations were not significant. It is concluded that HIV-infected individuals can have multiple of HHV-8, but AIDS-KS lesions are associated with infection by a single HHV-8 variant or a small group of related variants.

Juvenile Sjögren syndrome: distinctive age, unique findings.

Juvenile Sjögren's syndrome is a rare condition that affects children and adolescents with distinctive clinical features. Parotid swelling usually precedes regular oral and ocular symptoms, while typical serological findings may be absent. Hence, diagnosing juvenile Sjögren's syndrome may be challenging to the attending pediatric dentist, and long-term management without proper diagnosis may be jeopardized. The purpose of this report was to detail the features of an adolescent with primary Sjögren's syndrome diagnosed 12 years after the onset of the disease. An updated literature review highlighted the unusual aspects of the pediatric form of the disease.

Herpesvírus humano: tipos, manifestações orais e tratamento / Human herpes virus: types, oral manifestations and treatment

Os herpes vírus humanos (HHV) fazem parte de uma família -Herpesviridae- e têm como seu hospedeiro, unicamente, o homem. São ubíquos e latentes e, uma vez ocorrida a primo-infeção, permanecem no organismo do indíviduo afetado durante toda a sua vida. O presente trabalho se constitui em uma revisão de literatura com o objetivo de abordar os tipos de HHV e seus tratamentos, com ênfase nas manifestações orais. Os HSV 1 e 2 estão geralmente associados à Gengivoestomatite Herpética Primária, Herpes Labial Recorrente e Herpes Intraoral Recorrente. O HHV-3 provoca a Varicela e, por reinfecção, pode ser a causa do surgimento do Herpes-zóster. O HHV- 4 está diretamente ligado à Mononucleosa Infecciosa, ao Linfoma de Burkitt e ao Carcinoma Nasofaríngeo. O HHV-5 pode levar a má-formações congênitas. O HHV-6 provoca o exantema súbito e está associado à esclerose múltipla, o que demonstra seu forte potencial neuro-invasivo. O HHV-7 correlaciona-se ao vírus da AIDS, uma vez que, para ambos, a molécula CD4 é essencial a fim de funcionar como receptor, e o HHV-8 está estreitamente ligado ao Sarcoma de Kaposi. Nenhuma das terapias usadas para o tratamento representa uma cura para a infecção do vírus, uma vez que elas atuam apenas na sua fase ativa. O conhecimento dos tipos virais, das suas características clínicas e manifestações orais são de suma importância para o correto diagnóstico da doença, para a obtenção de sucesso no tratamento e, consequentemente, para a manutenção da saúde populacional.

The human herpes viruses (HHV) take part of a virus family - Herpesviridae- and these viruses have human as only host. They are ubiquitous and latents, and once the primary infection has occurred, they stay within the host's organism for their entire life. This paper is a review about the human herpes viruses types, their treatments and emphasizes their oral manifestations. The HSV 1 and 2 are usually associated to Primary Herpetic Gingivostomatitis, Recurrent Labial Herpes and Reccurent Intra-Oral Herpes. The HHV-3 causes Varicella, mainly in children, and, by reinfection, can be the cause of the appearance of Herpes-zoster. The HHV-4 is directly linked to Infectious Mononucleosis, Burkitt Lymphoma and Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. The HHV-5 can lead to congenital malformations. The HHV-6 causes sudden rash and is associated with multiple scleroszis, which shows its strong neuro-invasive potential. The HHV-7 is related to AIDS virus because, for both, the CD4 molecule is essential to act as receiver. The HHV-8 is closely linked to Kaposi's Sarcoma. None of the therapies used as treatment gives a cure to the viral infection, once the drugs only have their effect during the virus active phase. The knowledge of the types of herpes virus, its clinical characteristics and oral manifestations is of paramount importance for the correct diagnosis of the disease to obtain treatment success and, consequently, maintenance of population health.