FOCAL EPITHELIAL HYPERPLASIA IN AN HIV-POSITIVE MAN - AN ILLUSTRATED CASE AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Focal epithelial hyperplasia (FEH) is a rare but distinctive entity of viral aetiology with characteristic clinical and histopathological fe atures. It is usually seen in children and adolescents of American Ind ian and Eskimo background; however, it has recently been described in adults who are HIV positive. Suppression of the immune system leaves t he individual vulnerable to opportunistic infections. With improved ma nagement of immunocompromised patients it is increasingly possible tha t the general dental practitioner will encounter secondary oral infect ions such as FEH and must therefore be able to recognize, diagnose and treat these lesions. The following report presents a case of FEH in a n HIV-infected man, and is followed by a review of the literature.