Leukoplakia hairy is a mucosal disease associated with infection by the Epstein-Barr virus. It occurs mainly in patients struggling with diseases of the immune system, resulting in a decrease in its efficiency. What are the symptoms of hairy leukoplakia? How is her treatment going?

Leukoplakia hairyis a mucosal disease associated with infection by the Epstein-Barr virus. It occurs mainly in patients struggling with diseases of the immune system, resulting in a decrease in its efficiency. The lesions take the form of white spots or scales, almost always on the side surfaces of the tongue.

Causes of hairy leukoplakia

The pathogenesis (formation process) of hairy leukoplakia is a complex process requiring the overlap of two main factors. The first is infection with the Epstein-Barr virus, the second factor is a decline in immunity associated with systemic diseases or immunosuppressive treatment.

Occasionally, hairy leukoplakia is not associated with any immunodeficient condition.

Leukoplakia hairy is a mucosal condition caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV or HHV-4). This virus belongs to the Herpesvirus family, i.e. the DNA of viruses that cause many common human diseases. The herpes simplex virus ( Herpes simplex ) and the varicella zoster virus (VZV) belong to the same group of viruses.

The EBV virus is responsible for the formation of many diseases, including infectious mononucleosis, otherwise known as the kissing disease. It is assumed that the majority of the human population is infected with it. As shown by EBV research, it has oncogenic potential, is responsible for the formation of endemic Burkitt's lymphomas and nasopharyngeal cancer.

After a primary infection, like other herpes viruses, the Epstein-Barr virus remains in the human body in an inactive form, waiting for the immunity to decline. Reduced efficiency of the immune system is another condition for the development of hairy leukoplakia. There can be many causes of an immune disorder. Most often, immunodeficiencies are associated with HIV infection and the development of AIDS, with hematological neoplasms as well as with chronictaking systemic steroids or immunosuppression associated with bone marrow or organ transplants. Smoking cigarettes causes an additional increase in the incidence of this disease.

Symptoms of hairy leukoplakia

Hairy leukoplakia is characterized by the presence of white spots on the mucosa of the lateral surfaces of the tongue. The spots usually appear on both sides (there are cases of unilateral occurrence), they may be slightly elevated above the level of the he althy mucosa. The lesions can also appear elsewhere in the mouth, such as the back of the tongue or the cheek mucosa.

Stains on the mucosa can take on a variety of looks. As the name of the disease indicates, most often it resembles short white "hairs" that grow on the side of the tongue. These white lesions are nothing more than overgrown threadlike papillae of the tongue. These changes cannot be easily removed, they cannot be wiped off with, for example, a sterile gauze pad or a toothbrush. This feature distinguishes them from the white spots found in fungal stomatitis.

No pain symptoms or other unpleasant sensations of the patient are observed in the course of hairy leukoplakia. In rare cases, patients complain of mild discomfort or taste disturbances.

When does the appearance of the tongue indicate an illness?

Diagnosis and treatment of hairy leukoplakia

The diagnosis of hairy leukoplakia is made by a doctor, usually on the basis of the clinical picture of mucosal lesions. The disease is not serious, it is rather an aesthetic disorder. Nevertheless, careful diagnosis is recommended, as white spots on the side surfaces of the tongue may indicate the presence of serious diseases. In justified cases, when the appearance of the lesion is uncharacteristic, it may be necessary to take a slice of the lesion and send it for further examination to confirm the diagnosis.

The incidence of hairy leukoplakia is closely related to HIV infection and may indicate the development of AIDS. It is estimated that about 20-30 percent of HIV-infected people develop mucosal symptoms related to EBV infection. So, when diagnosing hairy leukoplakia, the patient should be tested for HIV infection. Antiviral therapy conducted in HIV-infected patients improves the local condition and gradually disappears changes in the tongue.

In the case of hairy leukoplakia, it is important to determine the cause of the decline in immunity and treat it appropriately. Improving the parameters of the immune system causes the changes to reverse. Treatment of EBV infection with appropriate drugsantivirus also brings improvement. In some cases, the doctor may decide to surgically remove the lesions.

Hairy leukoplakia should be differentiated from other diseases of the oral mucosa of a similar appearance, such as :

  • oral candidiasis;
  • leukoplakia in smokers;
  • lichen planus;
  • squamous cell carcinoma;
  • mucosal lesions related to papillomavirus infection.

Category:

Infectious diseases