Pharyngeal ulcer in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the high incidence of pharyngeal ulcer in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). By analyzing the clinical features in AIDS patients with pharyngeal ulcer, this study provided reference for clinicians.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty AIDS patients with pharyngeal ulcer were retrospectively analysed to explore its clinical features and mechanism, and to explore the feasible therapeutic methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patients generally had severe sore throat and dysphagia for 7 days to 8 months, resulting in significant weight loss. Common therapeutical method does not work. The ulcers developed mainly at vestibule of pharynx (10 cases), tonsil (3 cases), epiglottis (3 cases) and pyriform sinus (2 cases). Ulcer types included major aphthous ulcer (MaAU, 14 cases), fungal ulcer (2 cases), herpes zoster (1 case), ulcer secondary to drug eruption(1 case ), and lymphoma(2 cases). The disease course was long with CD4(+) T lymphocytes decreased significantly. Treatment was given with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HARRT), regulation of immune function, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti fungal. Treatment lasted from 2 weeks to 3 months, ulcer healed in 13 cases; 1 patient lost to follow-up, 6 patients dead.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The manifestation of pharyngeal ulcer in AIDS patients has its particularity. It is often associated with a variety of opportunistic infection and tumors. Local treatment is preferred. HAART therapy and systemic comprehensive treatment play more important and effective role. Pharyngeal ulcer persists for a long time, complicated with fever, diarrhea and other symptoms. The history of blood transfusion, injection drug use or unsafe sexual behavior may predict HIV infection.</p>