Abstract

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an advanced clinical manifestation resulting from infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Some oral lesions may represent the first clinical signs of HIV infection or be the markers of the progression of immunodepression caused by the virus. The aim of this study was to present three clinical cases of patients in whom the suspicion of HIV infection was based on the presentation of intraoral manifestations. The three cases included were as follows: a woman with extensive red and pseudomembranous areas in the oral cavity, compatible with pseudomembranous candidiasis; a man presenting painless, erythematous gingival lesion, located in the lower molar area, compatible with necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis (PUN); and a man with vesiculoucerative lesions in hard palate, compatible with atypical presentation of recurrent intraoral herpes. It is important to emphasize the role of the dental surgeon in the recognition of such oral lesions, which may be the first manifestations in HIV-infected persons.