leukoplakia

[loo″ko-pla´ke-ah]

a disease marked by the development of white thickened patches on the mucous membranes of the cheeks (leukoplakia buccalis), gums, or tongue (leukoplakia lingualis); the patches sometimes form fissures and often become malignant. They may grow into larger patches or form ulcers. Those in the mouth may in time cause pain during swallowing of food or speaking. Leukoplakia affects mostly middle-aged to elderly men, often after prolonged irritation of the mouth from such varying factors as badly fitting dentures or immoderate use of tobacco.

Treatment is aimed at removing any possible cause of physical or chemical irritation; the patient should give up tobacco and possibly also alcohol and extremely hot food. Dental attention may be necessary if teeth are uneven or dentures do not fit properly. Surgical removal of the affected area is relatively simple and may be the best means of preventing further development of the condition.

oral hairy leukoplakia a white filiform to flat patch occurring on the tongue or, rarely, on the buccal mucosa, caused by infection with Epstein-Barr virus and associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

leukoplakia vul´vae the presence of hypertrophic grayish-white infiltrated patches on the vulvar mucosa; specific diagnosis is determined by biopsy.

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References in periodicals archive

Recurrent oral lesions especially oral candidiasis, oral hairy leukoplakia, necrotizing periodontal conditions and oral ulcers in a HIV/AIDS infected patient already on ART warrants the ART failure and need to change the regimen in such patient alongwith the reassessment of immune status.9

(2007).6 Increased frequency of mucositis, oral ulcers, oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL), and chronic periodontitis was seen in ART group as compared to Non-ART group.

EFFECT OF ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY ON ORAL LESIONS IN HIV/AIDS

Pambuccian, "Oral hairy leukoplakia in HIV-negative patients: report of 10 cases," International Journal of Surgical Pathology, vol.

Nichols, "Epstein-Barr virus replication in oral hairy leukoplakia: response, persistence, and resistance to treatment with valacyclovir," Journal of Infectious Diseases, vol.

Oral complications and management strategies for patients undergoing cancer therapy

Oral candidosis and oral hairy leukoplakia as predictors of HAART failure in Brazilian HIV-infected patients.

Oral hairy leukoplakia and oral candidiasis as predictors of HIV viral load.

Effect of [CD4.sup.+] lymphocyte count, viral load, and duration of taking anti-retroviral treatment on presence of oral lesions in a sample of South African children with [HIV.sup.+]/AIDS

The examiner was trained to identify the following oral mucosal lesions: candidiasis (erythematous, pseudo-membranous and angular cheilitis), linear gingival erythema, oral hairy leukoplakia, aphthous ulcers, herpes simplex, Kaposi's sarcoma and lymphoma, which were photographed (Sony DSC-H2, San Diego, CA, USA).

DMFT index and oral mucosal lesions associated with HIV infection: cross-sectional study in Porto Velho, Amazonian Region--Brazil

Condyloma acuminatum was diagnosed in 11% of attendees during this period, oral hairy leukoplakia in 5.6%, and oral candidiasis in 22%.

Antiretrovirals raise risk of Condyloma by 37%. (Lower Risk Of Oral Candidiasis)

EBV is also an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients, associated with lymphoproliferative diseases and oral hairy leukoplakia.

Oral hairy leukoplakia: an Epstein-Barr virus-associated disease of patients with HIV

The oropharynx should be carefully examined for HIV-related pathology: candidiasis, oral hairy leukoplakia, and gingivitis or periodontitis.[88-90]

Outpatient management of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Oral opportunistic viral infections include herpes simplex infections, oral hairy leukoplakia, varicella-zoster infections, cytomegalovirus infections and oral warts.

Oral warts in HIV-infected individuals