Oral Lesions in Patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 Infection - Pilot Study

Abstract

Background

The rapid spread of the new coronavirus since December 2019 has posed a new challenge to the world. Studies demonstrated that cells that are highly susceptible to ACE2 expression will be target cells that are easily and severely damaged by SARS-CoV-2 infection. High expression of ACE2 receptors is usually observed in the epithelial cells of the oral mucosa and especially in the epithelium of the tongue, which should lead to the manifestation of symptoms in the oral cavity.

Aim

The aim of our pilot study was to preliminary evaluate the statistical data about incidence of oral manifestations in post-covid period.

Methods

20 patients (10 women and 10 men) who had recovered from COVID-19, aged 21 to 63 years were examined and screened for specific oral manifestations of COVID-19. Only symptomatic patients with different degrees of severity of COVID-19 were included in the pilot study. Examination methods included collection of patient complaints and anamnesis information from patient and clinical examination. Patients included in the study were asked to fill a special questionnaire developed by our group. Dental examination of patients was carried out according to the generally accepted scheme

Results

The observed patients complained of various rashes, defects, the appearance of plaques, and cracks in the oral cavity. Loss of taste was observed in 17 patients, halitosis in 12 patients, dryness of mouth in 6 patients, mouth ulcers, aphtae and petechiae in 4 patients.

Conclusions

The results obtained from oral cavity examination patients who have undergone COVID-19 demonstrate a variety of dental manifestations.  However, it is still uncertain whether these manifestations could be a typical clinical pattern resulting from the direct SARS-CoV-2 infection or a systemic consequence, given the possibility of coinfections, impaired immune system, and adverse reactions of medical treatment. To clear this question more extensive research is needed.

Keywords:  COVID-19, oral manifestation, dental manifestations, oral screening