Clinical manifestations of oral mucosa lesions in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection

BACKGROUND: Due to Coronavirus disease, several body systems are involved, and, in the most severe cases, there may be a multiorgan disfunction. The general symptoms can be associated with lesions of the oral cavity. Among these the most reported are ulcerative lesions, together with vesicles and blisters, petechiae, and erythema multiforme-like lesions, aphthous-like lesions, herpetiform lesions and they typically appear at the same time as general symptoms or within one week. The aim of this study was to describe oral lesions observed in 41 Armenian patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: During the period of April 2020-January 2021, 43 patients aged 25 to 51 years positive for COVID-19 test were referred for a full oral mouth examination and diagnosis at Nord KS dental clinic. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients who were already diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection at the time of the visit, 66.6% presented ulcerative lesions; in this group also Candida Albicans infection and lichenoid lesion were diagnosticated. 29 patients were suspected to be positive for COVID-19 and 23 tested positive. In this group of patient periodontal altera-tions relatable to hyperemia, gingival cyanosis and vascular dilation were the most frequently encountered manifesta-tions.CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows how the type of oral lesions during COVID-19 can be related to a determinate phase of the clinical progression: in the first stage of disease oral lesions could be an early sign of infection and during the full-blown phase of this disease they could be clinical manifestation of vasculitic and thrombotic phenomena responsible of COVID-19 complications. The role played by the oral examination in patients with COVID-19 is important in order to raise the suspicion of infection early and to monitor and improve the state of oral health and painful symptoms, in the event of the appearance of more disabling lesions.