The potential impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on the treatment and epidemiology of ranula in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients

Kabunda Syebele; Thifhelimbilu I Munzhelele

doi:10.1016/j.oooo.2013.02.016

The potential impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on the treatment and epidemiology of ranula in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2013 Jul;116(1):e32-6. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2013.02.016. Epub 2013 Apr 13.

Authors

Kabunda Syebele¹, Thifhelimbilu I Munzhelele

Affiliation

¹ Department of Maxillo-Facial and Oral Surgery, University of Pretoria, South Africa. kabunda.syebele@up.ac.za

PMID: 23591101
DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2013.02.016

Abstract

Objective: The study's aim was to assess the potential therapeutic effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on ranulas in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients.

Study design: The study includes a retrospective observation of 3 patients who were initially part of a prospective study on the comparative effect of HAART on ranulas in 14 HIV-positive patients. These patients were clinically monitored while pursuing the medical treatment with HAART. Neither a fine needle aspiration nor a surgical procedure was performed. Clinical photographs were used for monitoring of any reduction in the ranula size. The effect of HAART on ranula was assessed at 3, 6 and 12 month.

Results: A complete resolution of the ranula lesion was noticed in the 3 HIV-positive selected patients. These results were observed between 6 and 12 months period.

Conclusion: This study suggests that HAART might present a potential therapeutic effect on ranula in HIV-positive patients.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adult
Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active*
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
HIV Seropositivity / complications*
HIV Seropositivity / drug therapy
Humans
Ranula / drug therapy*
Ranula / etiology
Retrospective Studies
Salivary Gland Diseases / drug therapy*