Lack of direct association between oral mucosal lesions and SARS-CoV- 2 in a cohort of patients hospitalised with COVID-19
2022
Gabriela Schwab | Michelle Palmieri | Rodrigo M. Zerbinati | Dmitry J. S. Sarmento | Thais Reis | Karem L. Ortega | Italo T. Kano | Rafael A. V. Caixeta | Bengt Hasséus | Dipak Sapkota | Roger Junges | Simone Giannecchini | André L. F. Costa | Sumatra M. C. P. Jales | José A. L. Lindoso | Camila Barros Gallo | Paulo H. Braz-Silva
Background COVID-19 is a disease affecting various human organs and systems, in which the virus seeks to interact with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors. These receptors are present in the oral cavity, but the direct relationship between such an interaction and possible oral manifestations of COVID-19 is still unclear.Aim The present study evaluated oral manifestations in a cohort of COVID-19 patients during the period of hospitalisation.Methods In total, 154 patients presenting moderate-to-severe forms of COVID-19 had their oral mucosa examined twice a week until the final outcome, either discharge or death. The oral alterations observed in the patients were grouped into Group 1 (pre-existing conditions and opportunistic oral lesions) and Group 2 (oral mucosal changes related to hospitalization).Results Oral lesions found in the patients of Group 1 are not suggestive of SARS-CoV-2 infection as they are mainly caused by opportunistic infections. On the other hand, oral alterations found in the patients of Group 2 were statistically (P < 0.001) related to intubation and longer period of hospitalisation.Conclusion It is unlikely that ulcerative lesions in the oral cavity are a direct manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 or a marker of COVID-19 progression.
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