A case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) discovered on the basis of oral lesions

Abstract

A 30-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of a white lesion of the palate. He had similar lesions involving the uvula, tongue, buccal mucosa, and lips. These lesions were associated with various types of oral candidiasis, such as pseudomembranous, erythematous, hyperplastic, and angular cheilitis. The patient had been febrile for several months, and the fever was associated with the occurrence of the oral lesions. The clinical diagnosis was oral candidiasis with immunodeficiency. A blood test showed that the CD 4-CD 8 cell ratio was less than 0.1, and additional tests revealed that he had AIDS. The oral lesions were resistant to amphotericin B. The patient died of Pneumocytis carinii pneumonia 9 months after presentation.