COVID-19 and its manifestations in the oral cavity: A systematic review

Prevalence of Oral Manifestations in COVID-19-Diagnosed Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kerala

Background

COVID-19, a pandemic since 2019, is still causing significant healthcare burden across the world. Although the disease primarily presents with respiratory symptoms, a multitude of signs and symptoms may be manifested elsewhere in the body.

Aim

This study was to estimate the prevalence of oral manifestations in COVID-19 diagnosed patients and thereby understand the effects of corona virus disease on oral health.

Materials & methods

A total of 472 patients were evaluated using a questionnaire and further examined visually using a mouth mirror and a light source.The patients were evaluated for erythema, ulcers, macule, papule, vescicles, bullae or any other abnormal changes within the oral cavity.

Results

103 patients (21%) were found to have oral lesions and 41 (39.8%) of them presented with palatal enanthem which was macular in nature. Candidiasis was noted in 19 (18.4%) patients, ulcer in 4 (3.8%), mucositis in 5 (4.8%), angular cheilitis in 3 (2.9%), white coating on tongue in 25 (24.2%) & depapillated tongue with glossitis in 6 (5.8%). Multivariate analysis was done using logistic regression.Tobacco chewing, malignancies and altered taste sensation were found to be independently associated with oral lesions.

Conclusion

The study thus confirms the presence of oral lesions in diagnosed COVID-19 patients prompting healthcare professionals on a multidisciplinary approach towards this novel disease.

Oral Mucosal Manifestations Associated with PCR Positivity in Patients with COVID-19

INTRODUCTION

To date various oral manifestations in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported.

OBJECTIVES

In the present study, we investigated the relationship between Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) positivity and oral signs in patients with suspected COVID-19.

METHODS

A total of 383 patients who presented to the emergency department for the first time with any symptoms associated with COVID-19 were included in the study. Oral examinations were performed and the findings, PCR status, and thorax computerized tomography (CT) reports were recorded.

RESULTS

Oral mucosa was involved in 246 (64.2%) patients. 175 (78,4%) of patients with COVID-19 confirmed the diagnosis with PCR test or CT results had oral manifestation. Dry mouth, microvesicles on the tonsils or pharynx, and petechiae in the oropharynx were significantly higher in patients with positive PCR tests (P = 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). The ratio of intact oral mucosa was statistically significantly higher in patients with negative PCR tests compared to those with positive PCR tests (P < 0.001). Microvesicles on the tonsils or pharynx were most associated with PCR positivity in patients without lung involvement (P < 0.001). Dry mouth, erythema of the tonsils and pharynx, petechiae in the oropharynx, and primary/secondary herpes infection are more related to PCR positivity in patients without lung involvement (P < 0.05). Lung involvement in patients with PCR positivity is related to only cheilitis (P = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed that especially microvesicles, petechiae, erythema on the tonsils or pharynx, and some other oral lesions such as dry mouth, oral aphthae, and primary/secondary herpes infection are associated with PCR positivity.

A reflection on COVID-19 and oral mucosal lesion: a systematic review

Introduction

The aim of this systematic review is to provide a clinical update of the current knowledge on COVID-19 and oral mucosal lesions, to analyze the types and prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in patients with COVID-19, and to clarify the potential association between COVID-19 and oral mucosal lesions.

Methods

The literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and the Cochrane Library, as well as literatures via manual searches of the reference lists of included studies. Studies published in English that mentioned oral mucosal lesions in patients with COVID-19 were included, resulting in a total of 31 studies.

Results

Most of the included studies were considered to have a moderate to high risk of bias according to the Joanna Briggs Institute bias assessment tools. Based on COVID-19 severity, the characteristics and patterns of oral mucosal lesions in COVID-19 patients were described, analyzed and synthesized. Overall, ulcers without specific diagnosis had the highest prevalence in COVID-19 patients, followed by traumatic ulcers, candidiasis, petechiae and aphthous-like lesions. Homogeneity of data cannot be achieved in statical analysis, indicating randomness of outcome (ulcers without specific diagnosis, 95% CI: 28%-96%, I2 = 98.7%).

Discussion

Given the limited evidence from currently available studies, the association between COVID-19 and oral mucosal lesions remains difficult to clarify. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the possible association between COVID-19 and oral mucosal lesions, and we hereby discuss our findings.

The Oral Lesion in the COVID-19 Patient: Is It True Oral Manifestation or Not?

Objective

Many previously reported publications mentioned that oral lesion in COVID-19 patients was varied. The term oral manifestations refer to pathognomonic features that are found consistently with a specific cause and effect. In this context, the oral manifestation of COVID-19 was inconclusive. This systematic review aimed to analyse previously reported publications related to oral lesions in COVID-19 patients to define as oral manifestations or not. The PRISMA guidelines were implemented in this review.

Methods

All umbrella reviews, systematic reviews, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, comprehensive reviews, and original and non-original studies were included. Twenty-one of systematic review, 32 original studies and 68 non-original studies reported the oral lesion in COVID-19 patients.

Results

Most of the publications mentioned that ulcers, macular, pseudomembranes and crusts were frequent oral lesions. The reported oral lesions in COVID-19 patients did not show any pathognomonic features and might be unrelated directly to COVID-19 infections, however, more likely due to gender, age, underlying diseases, and medication.

Conclusion

The oral lesions found in previous studies do not have pathognomonic features and are inconsistent. Therefore, the reported oral lesion, in present time, cannot be defined as an oral manifestation.

Oral manifestations associated with Novel Coronavirus Disease - 2019 (COVID-19): A questionnaire based hypothetical study

Background: Since the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in 2019, the virus has evolved drastically, presenting with sets of mutations that influence its properties, including transmissibility and antigenicity. The oral mucosa is postulated as probable portal entry and several oral manifestations have been identified, which places dental professionals in a position to recognize probable COVID-19 patients depending on oral signs and symptoms in the initial phases of the disease itself. As co-existing with COVID-19 seems to be a new reality, greater understanding is required regarding early oral signs and symptoms which can be predictors for timely intervention and prevention of complications in COVID-19 patients. The objective of the study is to identify the distinguishing oral signs and symptoms among COVID-19 patients and to establish possible correlation between severity of COVID-19 infection and oral symptoms. Methods: This study recruited 179 ambulatory, non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province's designated hotels for COVID-19 and home isolated patients from the same region using a convenience sample method. Data was collected by qualified and experienced investigators, including two physicians and three dentists, using a validated comprehensive questionnaire through telephonic interviews with the participants. The X 2 was used to assess the categorical variables, and odd's ratio was calculated to determine the strength of the association between general symptoms and oral manifestations. Results: Oral and nasopharyngeal lesions or conditions like loss of smell and taste, xerostomia, sore throat, and burning sensation were predictors of COVID-19-related systemic symptoms such as cough, fatigue, fever, and nasal congestion were identified to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: The study reveals the occurrence of olfactory or taste dysfunction, dry mouth, sore throat, and burning sensation along with COVID-19 generic symptoms, should be considered as suggestive yet not conclusive indicators of COVID-19.

Oral microbial taxa associated with risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection

Hypothesis and objective

The oral and digestive tract microbial ecosystem has sparked interest because of its impact on various systemic diseases and conditions. The oral cavity serves not only as a reservoir for many potentially virulent microbiota but also as an important entry point and portal to the human body system. This is especially significant in the transmissibility of the virulent current pandemic virus SARS-CoV-2. The oral and digestive microbiome influences the inflammatory burden and effectiveness of the immune system and serves as a marker of activity of these host processes. The host immune response plays a role in infection susceptibility, including SARS-CoV-2. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of specific salivary oral microbiome in susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods and results

One hundred six subjects of known medical and dental history who consented to provide saliva samples between January 2017 and December 2019 were included in this study. Sixteen had become COVID-19 positive based on the PCR test by 3/01/2021. A comparison of oral microbiome bacteria taxa profiles based on 16S rRNA sequencing revealed differences between the two groups in this pilot study.

Conclusions

These bacteria taxa may be markers of increased susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in the unvaccinated population.

Changes in the organs and tissues of the oral cavity in the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19): A review

SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause changes in the organs and tissues of the oral cavity, which is associated with a wide distribution of angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 in the oral cavity, mainly epithelial cells of the oral mucosa, gums and fibroblasts of the periodontal ligament. Thus, the oral mucosa is susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and may act as a gateway for the virus, as well as a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2. We searched the literature for the period from the beginning of the pandemic until May 30, 2022, devoted to the study of changes in the organs and tissues of the oral cavity with a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the electronic search engines PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus. A special place in the study of changes in the organs and tissues of the oral cavity with a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is occupied by periodontal pathology. A number of reviews and clinical studies conclude the importance of good oral hygiene and periodontal health as an important aspect of COVID-19 prevention and management. Oral probiotics can be considered as a promising direction for correcting changes in organs and tissues of the oral cavity in COVID-19.

Prevalence, Features and Degree of Association of Oral Lesions in COVID-19: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews

Regardless of rapidly emerging findings on oral lesions described in adult SARS-CoV-2-positive subjects, the evidence level remains quite low and rather contrasting; therefore, the present systematic review of systematic reviews primarily aims to point out the overall prevalence of diagnosed cases. Secondary aims are to estimate the degree of association between oral lesions and SARS-CoV-2 infection and to grade, based on the reported frequency, the primary oral lesions, with related clinical presentations and microscopic features, in relation to COVID-19 forms. A study protocol compliant with the PRISMA statement was developed. Twelve studies were included, reporting highly heterogeneous and incomplete findings, thus precluding a meta-analysis. Further studies should be conducted to assess the overall prevalence of cases diagnosed with oral lesions among adult SARS-CoV-2-positive subjects, especially considering novel viral variants, and to determine their degree of association with SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 forms. Moreover, the reported findings noticed the need to evaluate the putative role both of SARS-CoV-2 in oral lesions genesis and of periodontitis and periodontal microbiome in COVID-19 worsening and re-activations. Deeper insights into oral lesions in adult SARS-CoV-2-positive subjects could enhance the comprehension of illness pathogenesis, natural history and clinical presentation, thus improving the preparedness of health professionals in the inter-disciplinary management of COVID-19.