Oral lesions associated with HIV infection as classified by the WHO Collaborative Centre for Oral manifestation of HIV were studied in 83 heterosexual AIDS patients in Kinshasa, Zaire. One or more lesions were fungal (94%), bacterial (33%) and viral (23%). Neoplasm was found in 12% of cases while lesions of unknown etiology in 14%. As location of those lesions, the palate, lips, tongue and the buccal mucosae mostly predominate as sites. The findings from this study were clinically similar to those reported in AIDS in other areas.

The prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease in African HIV-infected patients has not previously been assessed, in spite of the high prevalence of HIV-infection in some countries and the fact that atypical gingivitis may represent an early sign of HIV infection. In the present study 83 AIDS patients hospitalized in Kinshasa, Zaire, were assessed for dental caries, gingivitis and oral hygiene status. The prevalence of dental caries was lower among AIDS patients than among healthy controls previously examined in the same area. The prevalence of gingivitis was higher in AIDS than in controls in spite of good oral hygiene observed among AIDS patients.

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