MEDIAN RHOMBOID GLOSSITIS - AN ORAL MANIFESTATION IN PATIENTS INFECTED WITH HIV

A follow-up study included the oral examination of 39 persons known to be infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. In addition to the other human immunodeficiency virus-associated oral lesions, lesions c linically similar to the smooth form of median rhomboid glossitis, whi ch is now believed to be erythematous candidiasis located in the dorsu m of the tongue, were found in seven patients (18%). Patients with med ian rhomboid glossitis were classified in different stages of the Cent ers for Disease Control 1986 classification system and showed an avera ge of CD+4 cell counts 397.5/mm3. Also the presence or the absence of anti-p24 antibodies in the serum and stimulated whole saliva of the pa tients with median rhomboid glossitis did not correlate with the stage of the disease or with low levels of CD+4 cell counts as in other for ms of oral candidiasis. Therefore our results suggest that median rhom boid glossitis should be included as a distinct form of oral candidias is in the classification of the oral manifestations of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus.