ABSTRACT
This study aims to present 4 additional cases of oral lesions in patients with severe COVID-19. The patients were admitted to the hospital after diagnosis based on polymerase chain reaction tests. Three patients were male and 1 patient was female, and all patients had at least 2 comorbidities (patient age range, 57-73 years). All patients had severe diseases and were under mechanical ventilation. Oral manifestations were identified during hospitalization and diagnosed as herpes-like lesions in the lips and oral mucosa. The patients were immediately started on intravenous acyclovir or topical penciclovir. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (methylene blue 0.01%, low-laser 4 J, 10 0mW, 660 nm) was performed as an adjuvant. Oral hygiene was also maintained daily. Rapid recovery was observed in 3 cases. Thus, we highlight the importance of including dentists in the intensive care unit multiprofessional team to improve oral health, reduce coinfections, and contribute to evidence-based in critical patients with COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
Some oral manifestations have been observed in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, there is still a question about whether these lesions are due to coronavirus infection or secondary manifestations resulting from the patient's systemic condition. Thus, this article aims to report an additional case of an oral condition in a patient diagnosed with COVID-19. Our patient, a sixty-seven-year-old Caucasian man, tested positive to coronavirus and presented oral manifestations such as recurrent herpes simplex, candidiasis, and geographic tongue. We support the argument that some oral conditions could be secondary to the deterioration of systemic health or due to treatments for COVID-19. The present case report highlights the importance of including dentists in the intensive care unit multi-professional team to improve oral health in critical patients, not only COVID-19 patients, but also, to contribute to evidence-based and decision-making in managing infectious diseases.