Title |
Oral hairy leukoplakia in healthy immunocompetent patients: a small case series
|
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Published in |
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, August 2018
|
DOI | 10.1007/s10006-018-0709-7 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Daire Shanahan, Rachel Cowie, Helen Rogers, Konrad Staines |
Abstract |
Oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL) is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and usually presents in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and systemic immunosuppression. It is rarely seen in patients who are immunocompetent. It is clinically characterised as an asymptomatic, soft, white and corrugated lesion that cannot be scraped from the surface it adheres to. Immunocompetent patients with OHL attending Bristol Dental Hospital within the last 6 months were identified. EBV infection was demonstrated using EBV in situ hybridization. Clinical features and medical history were determined by reviewing medical records. Four cases of OHL in immunocompetent individuals were identified. All lesions were located on the lateral borders of the tongue. OHL should be considered as a differential diagnosis for white patches on the lateral borders of the tongue in apparently healthy immunocompetent patients, even when they do not have a typical corrugated appearance. OHL should no longer be regarded as pathognomonic for HIV infection or systemic immunosuppression. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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Unknown | 30 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
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Student > Bachelor | 6 | 20% |
Student > Postgraduate | 3 | 10% |
Other | 3 | 10% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 2 | 7% |
Unspecified | 2 | 7% |
Other | 7 | 23% |
Unknown | 7 | 23% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 17 | 57% |
Unspecified | 2 | 7% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 2 | 7% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 1 | 3% |
Immunology and Microbiology | 1 | 3% |
Other | 1 | 3% |
Unknown | 6 | 20% |