Morphological and tissue-based molecular characterization of oral lesions in patients with COVID-19: A living systematic review. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Silveira, Felipe Martins; Mello, André Luiz Rodrigues; da Silva Fonseca, Laura; dos Santos Ferreira, Luíse; Kirschnick, Laura Borges; Martins, Manoela Domingues; Schuch, Lauren Frenzel; de Arruda, José Alcides Almeida; Soares, Ciro Dantas; de Oliveira Sales, Alexandre; Bologna-Molina, Ronell; Santos-Silva, Alan Roger; Vasconcelos, Ana Carolina Uchoa
• Is Part Of: Archives of oral biology. Volume 136(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: OLICs oral lesions occurring in individuals infected by COVID-19; COVID-19 -- Oral pathology -- Molecular pathology -- Pandemics -- SARS-CoV-2; Mouth -- Periodicals; Mouth -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Dentistry -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 617.6005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2022.105374
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9969

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This living systematic review aims to integrate the morphological and tissue-based molecular characterization of oral lesions occurring in individuals infected by COVID-19 (OLICs). Materials and Design: This study was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Ovid, Embase, and LILACS were searched to identify reports on OLICs with morphological and/or tissue-based molecular data. Results: Four studies reporting five cases were included. Three patients were male, and the mean age of the individuals was 47.6 years. The most reported anatomical location was the palate (n = 4), whereas ulcers were the most frequent clinical presentation (n = 3). Histopathologically, all cases revealed cell vacuolization and exocytosis in the epithelial layer. In the mesenchymal layer, inflammatory cell infiltrate and thrombi/microvascular thrombosis were observed in three cases. Immunohistochemical reactions were performed in two cases. Both cases were negative for HHV-1, HHV-2, and CMV. One case revealed positivity for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. No other molecular tests were found for the characterization of OLIC. Conclusions: The pathological characteristics of OLICs are still unspecific. However, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and well-documented new cases, whether OLICs are due to coinfections or has a primary origin can be determined. Highlights: Few cases thus far have presented the histopathological features of OLICs. Pathological characteristics of OLICs are still unspecific. It is unfeasible to determine the pathophysiology of OLICs. Future studies evaluating the molecular profile of OLICs are needed.