ORAL HAIRY LEUKOPLAKIA IN AN HIV-NEGATIVE PATIENT: CONTRIBUTION OF CYTOPATHOLOGY FOR DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

Oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL) is an epithelial disorder related to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection generally seen in immunosuppressed patients infected with HIV, with rare cases reported in immunocompetent individuals. A 19-year-old male patient presented a white lesion on the tongue, clinically suggestive of OHL, with burning sensation episodes. The medical history includes a negative test for HIV infection a year ago. The clinical evaluation revealed a white, painless, nonremovable corrugated plaque on left tongue lateral border, evolving within a month. Exfoliative cytology was performed, exhibiting epithelial cells with intracellular edema, nuclei with peripheral chromatin beading, and cells with Cowdry A inclusion bodies and ground-glass pattern. Those findings were compatible with EBV infection that, in conjunction with clinical appearance, led to the diagnosis of OHL. The patient was then submitted to a blood HIV test showing a negative result. The patient is under follow-up of 3 weeks.