Abstract

IBARRA, Gumy C et al. Patología ultraestructural del músculo Orbicular de los labios en pacientes Vih+. Acta odontol. venez [online]. 2003, vol.41, n.2, pp.104-107. ISSN 0001-6365.

Abstract Neuromuscular complications are frequently found in HIV+ patients. These show paresthesia, tingle,burning, aching, intermittent shooting, "electrical pain" and difficulty for climbing stairs, being more important in lower limbs. Several authors have performed studies in relation with myopathies as a complication associated to HIV and its association with AZT therapy. It is not clear if the therapy produces mentioned disorder or simply the complication is provoked by the same disfunction. It was done a study in 9 HIV+ patients in the Infecto-Contagious Diseases Service "Dra. Elsa La Corte", of Dentistry Faculty of the Central University of Venezuela. Biopsies were taken from lip orbicular muscle and processed by routine techniques for transmission electron microscopy. Results were as follows: muscle fiber atrophy was found with decrease of contractile and sarcotubular elements and also hypercontraction and necrosis. Additionally we observed an increase of collagen fibrils, widening of basement membrane and sarcolemmal foldings. It is possible to conclude that HIV has effects on the ultrastructure of craneal innervation musculature to which belongs lip orbicular muscle. It does not seam likely that found alterations have a direct relation to the administred medication.

Keywords : ultraestructura,; músculo orbicular de los labios; VIH.