Oral candidiasis (OC) and hairy leukoplakia (HL) are important markers of HIV (Human Imunodeficiency syndrome) infection progression for AIDS, mainly in locals where specific tests are inacessible. AIM: to intertwine OC and HL to CD4+ counting and to viral charge (VC) on HIV positive brazilian patients, confirming them as trustworthy clinical markers of the disease progression. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort. MATERIAL AND METHOD: we have prospectively evaluated 124 HIV+ patients not in use of antiretroviral therapy. All of them have undertaken otorrhinolaringologic examination and CD4+ and VC counting, being divided in two groups: P and A, accordingly to presence or absence of OC and HL. After six months, patients belonging to the A group were re-divided on groups P6 (presence of lesions) and A6 (absence of lesions). Again, CD4+ and VC were counted. The results were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: on the P group, (43 patients, 28 OC, 15 HL) the CD4+ counting was smaller with greater viral charge when compared to A group (P<0.001). After 6 months, 15 of the 81 patients from the A group were excluded as they have initiated antiretroviral therapy. Eighteen patients (11 OC and 7 HL) were included on the P6 group. The others, who were free of lesions, were allocated on the A6 group. Again, CD4+ counting on the P6 group was smaller compared to the A6 group (P<0.001). The opposite occurred to the viral charge. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: OC and HL indicate CD4+ counting below 300 cells/mm³ and increased VC, thus being trustable clinical markers of the disease progression.
HIV; AIDS; oral candidiasis; hairy leukoplakia
