Periodontal Conditions in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Positive Patients Under Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy From a Metropolitan Area of Rio De Janeiro

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the periodontal status and the presence of opportunistic oral lesions in human immunodeficiency virus–positive (HIV+) patients under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and their association with cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ and CD4+ nadir T‐cell counts and viral load levels. Methods: Clinical periodontal parameters and the presence of opportunistic oral lesions along with records of CD4+ counts and viral load levels were evaluated in 29 individuals (16 females; mean age: 42.7 years) with previous serologic diagnosis of HIV, from the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome program of the Health Center of Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Results: All individuals presented gingivitis or periodontitis. A higher non‐significant prevalence of periodontitis was found in smokers (93.8%) compared with non‐smokers (76.9%). A significant weak positive correlation was observed between CD4+ counts and missing teeth (ρ = 0.380, P