Cytogenetic changes in oral mucosal cells of human immunodeficiency virus-infected children and adolescents undergoing antiretroviral treatment

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate possible cytogenetic changes in children and adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus on antiretroviral therapy, through the micronucleus test in oral mucosa. METHODS: This was a prospective study consisted of 40 individuals, of whom 21 comprised the human immunodeficiency virus group and 19 comprised the control group. Children and adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus were enrolled. The inclusion criteria were <18 years old and consent in participating in the study. The exclusion criteria were the presence of numerous systemic comorbidities, oral lesions, the habit of smoking, alcohol consumption, and X-rays or CT scans taken within 15 days prior to sample collection. A gentle scraping was performed on the inner portion of the jugal mucosa on both sides. A total of 2,000 cells per slide were analyzed for the determination of mutagenicity parameters as follows: micronuclei, binucleation, and nuclear buds. For measuring cytotoxicity, the following metanuclear changes were evaluated: pyknosis, karyolysis, and karyorrhexis, in a double-blind manner. The repair index was also evaluated in this setting. RESULTS: The human immunodeficiency virus group showed high frequencies of micronuclei (p=0.05), binucleated cells (p=0.001), and nuclear buds (p=0.03). In the cytotoxicity parameters, represented by the cell death phases, there was an increase with statistical difference (p≤0.05) in the karyorrhexis frequency (p=0.05). Additionally, repair index was decreased in the human immunodeficiency virus group. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that human immunodeficiency virus -infected individuals undergoing antiretroviral therapy have cytogenetic changes in oral mucosal cells.